CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: At a press conference held at Rail Bhawan on Monday, Union Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw spoke about the recently approved Kharsia–New Raipur–Parmalaksa Rail Project by the Union Cabinet. He said this project would transform Chhattisgarh’s rail connectivity. With an investment of ₹8,741 crore, it will provide comprehensive coverage from one end of the state to the other. The 5th and 6th rail lines from Kharsia to Parmalaksa will function as a new artery in Chhattisgarh’s railway network, connecting Odisha’s border to Maharashtra.
Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the minister said this is one of India’s largest railway projects. It will connect Raigarh, Janjgir-Champa, Bilaspur, Baloda Bazar, Durg, and Rajnandgaon districts. The project includes 21 new stations, 48 major bridges, 349 minor bridges, 14 flyovers, and 184 underpasses. Additionally, 5 rail flyovers will be built to avoid inconvenience to locals.
A total of 615 km of tracks (with a 278 km route) will be laid. Once completed, more than 8 mail/express trains will run on this route. The project is expected to save around 220 million liters of diesel, translating to a savings of ₹2,500 crore. The network will also connect culturally significant sites such as the Lakshmi Narayan Temple, associated with Shabari from Lord Ram’s exile story, and industrial hubs like Baloda Bazar and Kharsia, known for cement production.
To ease local traffic, bypass techniques will be adopted — freight trains will be routed outside cities while passenger trains will continue to enter them. The line will also link regions famous for Chhattisgarh’s Dokra art and Kosa silk production, contributing to 2 crore man-days of employment.
Vaishnaw noted that during the UPA era, Chhattisgarh received only around ₹300 crore in railway funding. Under PM Modi’s leadership, the rail budget has grown 22 times to over ₹6,900 crore. Since 2014, Chhattisgarh has seen unprecedented railway development, including 1,125 km of new tracks—more than the entire railway network of Dubai.
He stated that over ₹47,000 crore has been invested in Chhattisgarh’s railway development, with 32 stations being redeveloped. Many of these will be completed by the end of this year.
Discussing ongoing projects, the minister said that the Dalli Rajhara–Raoghat line is nearing completion, and the Raoghat–Jagdalpur DPR is almost finalized. Rapid work is underway on the Gevra–Pendraroad line. Other key projects include third and fourth lines between Rajnandgaon–Nagpur and Jharsuguda–Bilaspur, gauge conversion of Raipur–Kendri–Dhamtari to Abhanpur–Rajim, and new lines and doubling works across several regions.
Addressing CM Vishnu Deo Sai, the minister said that the double-engine government is fulfilling the people’s expectations. The CM praised PM Modi’s vision, noting that the new project connects six to seven districts and reflects the massive investment and development being brought to the state’s rail infrastructure.
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