Chhattisgarh CM welcomes approval of Rs 8,741 cr railway projects

RAIPUR,CG,INDIA: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has welcomed the union cabinet's decision to sanction the fifth and sixth railway lines on the Kharsia-Naya Raipur-Paramalkasa route, benefiting eight districts in the state.

The Central government has approved the construction of a new 278 km-long railway line in Chhattisgarh. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that a project worth ₹8,741 crore has been sanctioned for the fifth and sixth railway lines on the Kharsia-Naya Raipur-Paramalkasa route, benefiting eight districts in the state.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved four railway projects across Maharashtra, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh, with a total investment of ₹18,658 crore. These projects will expand the Indian Railways network by approximately 1,247 km, covering 15 districts. The approved projects include the Sambalpur-Jarapda third and fourth lines, Jharsuguda-Sason third and fourth lines, Kharsia-Naya Raipur-Paramalkasa fifth and sixth lines, and the doubling of the Gondia-Balharshah route.

The expansion aims to enhance railway efficiency, reduce congestion, and improve service reliability. The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a self-reliant India, boosting employment and economic opportunities in the affected regions. These developments are part of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for seamless multi-modal connectivity, integrating transportation infrastructure for efficient movement of people and goods.

As part of the project, 19 new stations will be built, enhancing connectivity for 3,350 villages and benefiting a population of approximately 47.25 lakh. The expansion will also provide direct rail access to aspirational districts like Gadchiroli and Rajnandgaon, and new industrial zones such as Baloda Bazar, which is expected to attract cement plants and other industries.

These railway lines are crucial for transporting key commodities such as agricultural products, fertilizers, coal, iron ore, steel, cement, and limestone. The increased capacity is projected to handle an additional 88.77 million tonnes of freight annually. The expansion will also contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing logistics costs, cutting oil imports by 95 crore liters, and lowering CO₂ emissions by 477 crore kg, equivalent to planting 19 crore trees.