New project will act as a major new rail artery

RAIPUR,NEW DELHI,INDIA: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, speaking at Rail Bhavan, said this ₹8,741 crore project will cover the state from the Odisha to Maharashtra border, will act as a major new rail artery.

New Railway Project Approved in Chhattisgarh to Boost Connectivity and Jobs

In a major move to improve railway infrastructure in Chhattisgarh, the Union Cabinet has approved the construction of the 5th and 6th railway lines between Kharsia, Naya Raipur, and Parmalkasa. The project will cost Rs 8,741 crore and aims to modernize transport while helping the environment. It is expected to save 22 crore litres of diesel each year and cut down carbon emissions by 113 crore kilograms, which is like planting 4.5 crore trees.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, speaking from New Delhi, said this 278 km-long rail route (with 615 km of total tracks) will boost both freight and passenger transport. It will include 21 stations, 48 big bridges, 349 small bridges, 14 road overbridges, 184 road underbridges, and 5 rail flyovers.

Vaishnaw highlighted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, rail investment in Chhattisgarh has increased significantly—from just Rs 300 crore to over Rs 8,000 crore. This project aims to create jobs, improve trade, and connect people.

The new line will serve as an important goods transport corridor between Odisha and Maharashtra, helping reduce traffic on the busy Kolkata-Mumbai route. It is designed to carry 21–38 million tonnes of freight every year and support eight major passenger trains.

Districts that will benefit include Raigarh, Janjgir-Champa, Sakti, Bilaspur, Baloda Bazar, Raipur, Durg, and Rajnandgaon. The project is expected to save Rs 2,520 crore annually in logistics by offering a cheaper and faster alternative to road transport.

The project will also generate around two crore man-days of employment. Local industries like Dokra art, bell metal work, Kosa silk, and bamboo crafts will gain better market access. Important cultural places, like the Laxminarayan Temple, will also see improved connectivity.

Vaishnaw mentioned that this project is part of a larger rail development plan. So far, Rs 47,000 crore has been invested in Chhattisgarh’s rail sector. New trains like Amrit Bharat and Namo Bharat will soon begin services in the state. The Kharsia–Parmalkasa line is also expected to help industries in Baloda Bazar, especially in transporting coal, cement, steel, fertilizers, and farm produce.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, who attended the virtual press meet, thanked the Prime Minister and Railway Minister. Other leaders, including Union Minister Tokhan Sahu and several MPs, also took part and shared local demands.