Barmer, March 20 -- India is pressing ahead with a strategic railway network along the Pakistan border to strengthen defence preparedness and spur regional development, Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The final location surveys are underway for key routes, including Anupgarh-Khajuwala-Jaisalmer and Barmer-Bhiladi, he added. These proposed lines, running parallel to the international border, will enhance military mobility, streamline supply operations, and unlock opportunities for tourism, trade, and employment in the state's remote border districts. Vaishnaw informed the House that the projects are proceeding in phases, with final location surveys (FLS) in progress on the identified routes. Once surveys conclude, the lines will advance to approval and construction. Indian Railways is prioritising infrastructure in border areas for their strategic and economic value. Parliamentary details indicate the Jaisalmer-Bhiladi corridor via Barmer will span about 380km, while the Khajuwala-Jaisalmer stretch will cover roughly 260km. Parallel to the India-Pakistan border, these lines will offer the armed forces swift troop, equipment, and supply movements. Beyond defence, officials say the expansion will transform connectivity in western Rajasthan's remote, sparsely populated regions. Districts such as Jaisalmer and Barmer, long hampered by infrastructure deficits owing to their location, stand to gain from superior transport links. The projects will also invigorate tourism in desert hotspots and fortify trade by easing market access. Enhanced connectivity promises jobs and broader socio-economic progress in the border belt. With surveys advancing steadily, the government views these lines as vital to national security and growth in Rajasthan's frontier districts....