RAIPUR (India CSR): Under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Chhattisgarh is witnessing a transformative push towards a developed India and a prosperous Chhattisgarh through ambitious rail development projects. These initiatives aim to boost the state’s economy by enhancing connectivity, tourism, trade, industry, and employment opportunities. From 1853 to 2014, Chhattisgarh had only 1,100 route kilometers of railway lines laid over 161 years. However, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, the state’s rail network is set to double to 2,200 route kilometers by 2030.
Significant Investments and New Trains
The Central Government has allocated ₹6,925 crore for Chhattisgarh in the 2025-26 budget. Currently, rail development projects worth Rs 47,000 crore are in progress across the state, supported by the Central Government. Chhattisgarh has also been gifted two new Vande Bharat trains connecting Raipur to Visakhapatnam and Raipur to Nagpur. Additionally, the state government has decided to conduct surveys for a metro train project to further enhance urban connectivity. Notably, during former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure, a zonal railway office was approved for Bilaspur, marking a significant milestone.
World-Class Railway Stations Under Amrit Bharat Scheme
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 32 railway stations in Chhattisgarh are being redeveloped into world-class facilities equipped with modern amenities at a cost of approximately ₹1,680 crore. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated five redeveloped stations: Ambikapur, Urkura, Bhilai, Bhanupratappur, and Dongargarh. Major stations like Bilaspur (₹435 crore), Raipur (₹463 crore), and Durg (₹456 crore) are also undergoing extensive redevelopment. Other stations include Bhatapara, Bhilai Power House, Tilda Neora, Bilha, Balod, Dallirajhara, Hathband, Sarona, Maroda, Mandir Hasaud, Nipania, Bhilai Nagar, Rajnandgaon, Raigarh, Baradwar, Champa, Naila, Janjgir, Akaltara, Korba, Uslapur, Pendra Road, Baikunthpur Road, Mahasamund, and Jagdalpur.
Ongoing Rail Projects
Several rail projects worth ₹47,000 crore are currently under construction in Chhattisgarh. Key projects include:
- Rajnandgaon-Nagpur Third Line: 228 km (48 km in Chhattisgarh), costing ₹3,544.25 crore.
- Bilaspur-Jharsuguda Fourth Line: 206 km (153 km in Chhattisgarh), costing ₹2,135.34 crore.
- Kharsia-Dharmjaigarh New Line: 162.5 km, costing ₹3,438.39 crore.
- Gaurela-Pendra Road-Gevra Road: 156.81 km, costing ₹4,970.11 crore.
- Kendri-Dhamtari & Abhanpur-Rajim Gauge Conversion: 67.2 km, costing ₹544 crore.
- Boridand-Ambikapur Doubling: 80 km, costing ₹776 crore.
- Chirmiri-Nagpur New Halt Line: 17 km, costing ₹622.34 crore.
New Rail Projects in Bastar Region
The Ministry of Railways has approved the Raoghat-Jagdalpur New Rail Line (140 km), costing ₹3,513.11 crore. This project is expected to be a game-changer for the social, economic, and industrial development of the Bastar region. It will enhance travel, tourism, trade, and employment opportunities while contributing to efforts to curb Naxalism. The doubling of the Kottavalasa-Kirandul (KK) Line (446 km, with 170 km in Chhattisgarh) is progressing rapidly, with 148 km of doubling already completed in the state.
Sukma, Dantewada, and Bijapur to Join Rail Network
The final location survey for the proposed 160.33 km Kothagudem (Telangana) to Kirandul New Rail Line has been approved and is in its final stages. Of this, 138.51 km will pass through Chhattisgarh’s Sukma, Dantewada, and Bijapur districts, which have lacked rail connectivity so far. This project will not only improve accessibility but also drive transformative socio-economic development in these regions.
Surveys for New Rail Projects
Several new rail projects are in the final survey stages, with Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) being prepared:
- Ambikapur-Barwadih: 200 km, ₹9,718 crore.
- Kharsia-Naya Raipur-Parmlakasa: 278 km, ₹7,854 crore.
- Raoghat-Jagdalpur: 140 km, ₹3,513 crore.
- Sardega-Bhalumara: 37.24 km, ₹1,282 crore.
- Dharmjaigarh-Pathalgaon-Lohardaga: 301 km, ₹16,834 crore.
Surveys for the Dharmjaigarh-Lohardaga and Ambikapur-Barwadih projects are nearing completion.
Chhattisgarh Railway Corporation Initiative
To further enhance rail connectivity, the Chhattisgarh government has allocated ₹300 crore for the Katghora-Dongargarh Rail Line. This project will reduce the load on freight trains operating on the Nagpur-Jharsuguda route. The Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Fund Advisory Committee has approved ₹300 crore for land acquisition and preliminary construction work for the Dongargarh-Kabeerdham-Mungeli-Katghora rail corridor.
Economic and Social Impact
The completion of these rail projects will significantly enhance rail connectivity, boost tourism, trade, and industry, and create new employment opportunities across Chhattisgarh. These initiatives are poised to accelerate the state’s socio-economic development, aligning with the vision of a developed Chhattisgarh and a developed India.
(India CSR)
