Chhattisgarh's Major Rail Projects: A Push for Holistic Development

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai discussed pivotal railway projects with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, emphasizing their importance for the state's social and economic development. The projects include Dharamjaigarh-Pathalgaon, Ambikapur-Barwadih, Kharsia-New Raipur, and Rowghat-Jagdalpur, which aim to enhance connectivity and support regional growth.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai met Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday to discuss several pivotal railway projects.

According to a press statement from the Chhattisgarh government, Sai highlighted the necessity of expanding the state’s rail network to bolster social and economic development across the region.

Sai urged the Union Minister to expedite four major railway projects: Dharamjaigarh-Pathalgaon-Lohardaga, Ambikapur-Barwadih, Kharsia-New Raipur, and Rowghat-Jagdalpur. These projects are key to improving connectivity and facilitating regional growth.

The state government stated that the 240 km-long Dharamjaigarh-Pathalgaon-Lohardaga project will enhance connectivity between northern Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. The ongoing Korba-Dharamjaigarh project will link the industrial region of Korba to Lohardaga and central India, with an estimated cost of around Rs 16,000 crore.

The 200 km-long Ambikapur-Barwadih project, termed as the longest-pending demand for rail connectivity, will link Ambikapur in North Chhattisgarh to Barwadih in Jharkhand, providing an alternative route for transporting coal and minerals.

The Kharsia-New Raipur-Parmalkasa project will offer an alternative route for coal evacuation, bypassing Bilaspur and Raipur, and connecting the cement-rich region of Baloda Bazar. The estimated cost for this project is Rs 8000 crore.

The Rowghat-Jagdalpur New Railway Line will extend the existing Dallirajhara-Rowghat project to Jagdalpur, promoting economic and social development in the tribal areas of Bastar, Kondagaon, and Narayanpur. This project is estimated to cost Rs 3500 crore.

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw acknowledged the strategic importance of these projects and assured Chief Minister Sai of their swift implementation, emphasizing their role in the holistic development of Chhattisgarh.