Four Railway Projects in Chhattisgarh to Enhance East-West Network and Boost Ores, Coal Supply.

Chhattisgarh is set to commence work on four major railway projects aimed at enhancing connectivity and boosting economic growth in the state, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced on Wednesday following a meeting with Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi.

Chief Minister Sai, along with Deputy CM Vijay Sharma, discussed the strategic importance of these railway projects, which include the Dharamjaigarh-Pathalgaon-Lohardaga, Ambikapur-Barwadih, Kharsia-Naya Raipur-Parmalaksa, and Rowghat-Jagdalpur new rail lines.

The Dharamjaigarh-Pathalgaon-Lohardaga project, spanning 240 kilometers, will improve connectivity between north Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, linking key towns such as Pathalgaon, Kunkuri, Jashpur Nagar, and Gumla.

The ongoing Korba-Dharmjaigarh project is set to connect the industrial Korba region with Lohardaga, enhancing regional connectivity with central India and boosting the area's economic integration with Korba and Ranchi. The estimated cost of this project is around ₹16,000 crore.

The long-awaited Ambikapur-Barwadih project will connect North Chhattisgarh with Barwadih in Jharkhand, providing an alternate route for transporting coal and other minerals. This 200-kilometer line, estimated to cost ₹9,000 crore, is crucial for improving regional integration and supporting the local economy.

The Kharsia-New Raipur-Parmalkasa project will cover a 277-kilometer stretch, offering an alternative route for coal transport from SECL coalfields to the western parts of India. It will bypass Bilaspur and Raipur stations and connect the cement-rich region of Baloda Bazar, including the pilgrimage town of Shivrinarayan. The project's estimated cost is about ₹8,000 crore.

The Rowghat-Jagdalpur project, an extension of the ongoing Dallirajhara-Rowghat 95-kilometer line, aims to connect the mineral-rich Bastar region to steel industries in the state. This project, costing approximately ₹3,500 crore, will enhance the transport of iron ores and promote economic and social development in the tribal areas of Kondagaon and Narayanpur.

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has acknowledged the strategic importance of these projects and assured Chief Minister Sai of their prioritization. The initiatives are expected to play a key role in the holistic development of Chhattisgarh.

ET