Kharsia-Parmalakasa Railway Project a Historic Step for Chhattisgarh’s Development: CM Sai

Raipur, Apri 7

In a press conference held at Rail Bhavan, Railway, Information & Broadcasting, Electronics & IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw discussed the Kharsia-Naya Raipur-Parmalakasa railway project, which has been approved by the Union Cabinet. He stated that this project is set to transform Chhattisgarh’s rail connectivity. The project will cost ₹8741 crore and provide comprehensive coverage across the entire state. Railway Minister Vaishnaw mentioned that the Kharsia-Parmalakasa 5th-6th railway line will act as a new artery for Chhattisgarh’s railway network. It will facilitate the rail network from the Odisha border to the Maharashtra border.

Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Railway Minister said that this is one of India’s largest projects. It will connect Chhattisgarh’s districts such as Raigarh, Janjgir-Champa, Bilaspur, Baloda Bazar, Durg, and Rajnandgaon. The project will include the construction of 21 stations, 48 major bridges, 349 minor bridges, 14 flyovers, and 184 underpasses. To ensure local residents are not inconvenienced, five rail flyovers will also be built.

Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw further stated that the project will involve laying 615 km of tracks over a 278 km route. Once the route is completed, more than 8 mail/express trains will be operated. The project will save about 22 crore liters of diesel and result in a diesel savings of nearly ₹2500 crore for the railways. Furthermore, the Lakshmi Narayan Temple, associated with the story of Mata Shabari during Lord Ram’s exile, will also be connected to this rail network. Major industrial hubs like Baloda Bazar and Kharsia, known for cement production, will be linked to this network as well.

He also mentioned that for the convenience of local people, the railways are now adopting the bypass system, with freight trains diverted outside cities and passenger trains entering the city. The construction of this rail line will focus on this approach. Additionally, areas producing Chhattisgarh’s cultural heritage, including Kosa Silk, will also be connected to the railway network. This will generate 2 crore man-days of employment.

Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Chhattisgarh’s railway budget has increased 22 times, now exceeding ₹6900 crore. Since 2014, railway projects in Chhattisgarh have progressed at an unprecedented speed, with 1,125 km of new tracks built, more than the entire railway network of Dubai.

He further mentioned that total railway investments in Chhattisgarh now exceed ₹47,000 crore. This includes the redevelopment of 32 stations, many of which will be completed by the end of this year.

Highlighting other important railway projects in the state, the Railway Minister mentioned the completion of the Dallirajhara-Raoghat new line. The DPR for the Raoghat-Jagdalpur rail line is nearly complete, and work on the Gevra-Pendra Road new line is progressing rapidly. Additionally, projects like the third line from Rajnandgaon to Nagpur, the fourth line from Jharsuguda to Bilaspur, and gauge conversion of the Raipur-Kendri-Dhamtari to Abhanpur-Rajim line are also underway. Sufficient funds have been allocated for the fourth line from Rajnandgaon to Dongargarh, the doubling from Jagdalpur to Koraput, the new line from Dharamjaygarh to Korba, and the doubling of the Anuppur-Ambikapur line. Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw concluded by stating that Indian Railways is working to fulfill the hopes placed by the people of Chhattisgarh through the “double engine” government.

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai stated that since the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership has come into power, thousands of crores worth of railway projects have been implemented in Chhattisgarh. The new project connecting several districts of Chhattisgarh is a fortunate development for the state. The government has allocated millions for the development of stations, which will transform the railway system and Chhattisgarh’s image.

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, stating that the Kharsia-Naya Raipur-Parmalakasa railway project will give a new momentum to Chhattisgarh’s development. The project will connect major districts such as Janjgir-Champa, Sakti, Baloda Bazar, Raipur, Durg, and Rajnandgaon, bringing new opportunities to these regions. The cement industry hubs of Baloda Bazar and Janjgir will emerge as new industrial centers. The area, rich in limestone, will see a boost in cement production due to better rail connectivity.

He added that the direct rail connection to Naya Raipur will enhance connectivity between the capital and major metropolitan cities like Mumbai and Kolkata. The project will speed up cargo transport, reducing logistical costs for industries and boosting the transportation of agricultural products, minerals, and construction materials. This will provide a new direction and pace for the development of Naya Raipur.

Union Minister of State for Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Tokhan Sahu, expressed his happiness about the approval of the project for Chhattisgarh and thanked Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the central government on behalf of all the people of Chhattisgarh.