Ravneet Bittu announces 24x7 patrolling, drone surveillance on Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor after Shambhu blast
Babushahi Bureau
Patiala (Punjab), April 29, 2026: Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh Bittu on Tuesday announced enhanced security measures along the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC), including round-the-clock patrolling and deployment of drone surveillance, following the recent blast near Shambhu in Punjab.
The minister visited the blast site along with senior officials from the Ambala Railway Division and reviewed the security situation.
Expressing concern over repeated attacks on railway infrastructure in the state, he assured strict and immediate steps to strengthen monitoring and safety.
Bittu said 24-hour patrolling will be intensified across the EDFC, with a special focus on vulnerable and isolated stretches.
He added that while 173 CCTV cameras have already been installed in the Punjab region under the Ambala Division, further expansion is underway. Advanced surveillance methods, including drones, will also be deployed, alongside continuous ground patrols by key railway personnel.
Highlighting a pattern, the minister noted that this is the second such incident in three months within a 35-km radius.
The earlier blast on January 23 occurred near NH-44, similar to the latest site, indicating possible misuse of easy access routes by miscreants.
He also pointed to indications of external involvement, suggesting attempts by hostile elements to destabilize the region by targeting critical infrastructure.
“Such acts are aimed not only at security disruption but also at impacting economic activity,” he said.
Describing the EDFC as a crucial economic lifeline connecting Sahnewal to West Bengal, with around 30 trains operating daily, Bittu warned that any disruption could affect both state and national economies.
The minister also lauded the loco pilot’s prompt response in halting the train after sensing the impact, preventing a major accident. He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of railway assets and the uninterrupted movement of passengers and freight.
HK