Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai held a detailed discussion with Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnav to expedite major railway projects in Chhattisgarh. Expansion of rail network will become a strong foundation for balanced and inclusive development of Chhattisgarh: Chief Minister Shri Sai Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai, during his visit to New Delhi today, paid a courtesy call to Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnav and held detailed discussions regarding expansion of railway infrastructure in Chhattisgarh, new railway projects and progress of pending railway lines. Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Tokhan Sahu and Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha constituency MP Shri Santosh Pandey were present on the occasion. In the meeting, Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai stated that Chhattisgarh is one of the most important states in the country from an industrial, mineral, and agricultural perspective. The expansion of the railway network in the state is not only a matter of transportation convenience, but is also linked to industrial development, trade, tourism, agricultural marketing, development of tribal areas, and balanced regional progress. He said that Chhattisgarh is also benefiting from the unprecedented expansion of rail infrastructure across the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, and the state government is working in full coordination with the central government in this direction. The meeting specifically discussed the Katghora-Dongargarh new railway line project. It was informed that this ambitious 295-kilometer rail project will be developed through a joint venture between the Ministry of Railways and the Chhattisgarh government. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be formed in partnership between the two organizations. This rail line will extend from Katghora to Dongargarh via Kartala, Mungeli, Kawardha, and Khairagarh, connecting many areas previously without rail access to the railway network for the first time. The Chief Minister stated that this project will accelerate regional development, boost industry, and provide improved transportation facilities to millions of citizens. The meeting also reviewed the Raoghat-Jagdalpur railway line project. The Chief Minister stated that the necessary land acquisition procedures for this crucial 140-kilometer-long rail line have been completed, and the railway tender process is in the final stages. He expressed hope that the early commencement of construction will strengthen the Bastar region’s connectivity and provide a new impetus to the region’s social and economic development. Chief Minister Shri Sai requested early approval for three other important rail projects in the state – Sardega-Pathalgaon-Ambikapur (244 km), Dharamjaigarh-Pathalgaon-Lohardaga (301 km), and Ambikapur-Barwadih (200 km). He said that these projects will strengthen rail connectivity in the border areas, including northern Chhattisgarh, and will create new opportunities for trade, tourism, mineral transportation, and local employment. Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnav assured positive action towards early approval of these projects. During the meeting, the progress of survey work for the Kirandul-Kotagudem (180 km) and Gadchiroli-Bijapur-Kirandul (Bacheli) (490 km) new rail line projects was also discussed. The Chief Minister urged the government to complete the survey work expeditiously and initiate further action, so that the Bastar region’s connectivity can be further strengthened and development and security efforts can be accelerated. Expressing gratitude to Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnav, Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai said that with the support of the Central Government, new chapters of railway development are being written in Chhattisgarh. He said that the new rail projects will play an important role in the state’s industrial development, mineral transportation, smooth movement of agricultural products, tourism promotion and overall development of tribal areas. He expressed confidence that with the coordinated efforts of the Central and State Governments, Chhattisgarh’s rail network will become even stronger in the coming years and the creation of a developed Chhattisgarh will gain new momentum. Post navigation Mahanadi should not be a dispute, it should be the basis for the shared prosperity of Chhattisgarh and Odisha: Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai Bastar’s Manjhi-Chalaki become special guests at Rashtrapati Bhavan; Bastar Pandum-2026 winners and tribal representatives were specially honoured
