Railway Revolution in Chhattisgarh: ₹47,000 Crore Rail Development Projects Underway Rail network to double by 2030

Raipur, June 27

Under the initiative of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, new railway projects are being approved to realize the vision of a Developed India and Developed Chhattisgarh, and to boost the state’s economy. From 1853 to 2014—a span of 161 years—only 1,100 route kilometers of railway lines were laid in Chhattisgarh. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the railway network in the state will double to 2,200 route kilometers by 2030.

In the Union Budget for 2025–26, Chhattisgarh was allocated ₹6,925 crore. Currently, railway development projects worth ₹47,000 crore are underway in the state with central support. The state has been gifted two new Vande Bharat Express trains on the Raipur–Visakhapatnam and Raipur–Nagpur routes. The state government has also decided to conduct a survey for a Metro rail project. It is noteworthy that during the tenure of former Prime Minister Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a Zonal Railway Office was approved in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.

Completion of these new and ongoing railway projects will not only enhance rail connectivity in the state but also open up new possibilities for tourism, trade, industry, and employment—driving social and economic development.

World-Class Railway Stations
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 32 railway stations in Chhattisgarh are being developed with modern and world-class facilities. Recently, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated redeveloped stations at Ambikapur, Urkura, Bhilai, Bhanupratappur, and Dongargarh.

A total of ₹1,680 crore is being invested for redevelopment under this scheme. Major projects include redevelopment of:

Bilaspur station – ₹435 crore

Raipur station – ₹463 crore

Durg station – ₹456 crore

Other stations being redeveloped include:
Bhatapara, Bhilai Power House, Tilda-Neora, Bilha, Balod, Dalli-Rajhara, Hathbandh, Sarona, Maroda, Mandir Hasaud, Nipania, Bhilai Nagar, Raipur, Durg, Rajnandgaon, Raigarh, Baradwar, Champa, Naila, Janjgir, Akaltara, Korba, Uslapur, Pendra Road, Baikunthpur Road, Bilaspur, Mahasamund, and Jagdalpur.

Ongoing Railway Projects in Chhattisgarh
Railway projects worth ₹47,000 crore are currently under construction. Major projects include:

Rajnandgaon–Nagpur third line: 228 km total (48 km in Chhattisgarh), Cost: ₹3,544.25 crore

Bilaspur–Jharsuguda fourth line: 206 km total (153 km in Chhattisgarh), Cost: ₹2,135.34 crore

Kharsia–Dharamjaigarh new line: 162.5 km, Cost: ₹3,438.39 crore

Gaurela–Pendra Road–Gevra Road: 156.81 km, Cost: ₹4,970.11 crore

Kendri–Dhamtari & Abhanpur–Rajim gauge conversion: 67.2 km, Cost: ₹544 crore

Boridand–Ambikapur doubling: 80 km, Cost: ₹776 crore

Chirmiri–Nagpur new halt line: 17 km, Cost: ₹622.34 crore

Newly Approved Projects in Bastar Region
The Ravghat–Jagdalpur new rail line (140 km) has been approved by the Ministry of Railways with an estimated cost of ₹3,513.11 crore. This project is expected to be a milestone in the social, economic, and industrial development of Bastar.

It will also significantly enhance opportunities in travel, tourism, trade, and employment, while supporting efforts to eradicate Naxalism. The KK rail line (Kottavalasa to Kirandul) is also being doubled rapidly. Of the total 446 km length, 170 km lies in Chhattisgarh, and 148 km of it has already been doubled.

Sukma, Dantewada & Bijapur to be Rail-Connected
A final location survey has entered its last phase for a 160.33 km new railway line from Kothagudem (Telangana) to Kirandul. Of this, 138.51 km will pass through Sukma, Dantewada, and Bijapur—districts that have long been without rail connectivity. This project will greatly improve transport access and create transformational social and economic change in these regions.

New Projects in Final Survey Stage
Surveys and DPRs are in the final stage for several projects:

Ambikapur–Barwadih (200 km) – Cost: ₹9,718 crore

Kharsia–Naya Raipur–Parmalaksa (278 km) – Cost: ₹7,854 crore

Ravghat–Jagdalpur (140 km) – Cost: ₹3,513 crore

Sardega–Bhalumara (37.24 km) – Cost: ₹1,282 crore

Dharamjaigarh–Pathalgaon–Lohardaga (301 km) – Cost: ₹16,834 crore

Project by Chhattisgarh Railway Corporation
To improve rail connectivity, the Chhattisgarh government has allocated ₹300 crore for constructing a railway line from Katghora to Dongargarh. This will help reduce the load of freight trains on the Nagpur–Jharsuguda route.

The Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Fund Advisory Committee has approved ₹300 crore for land acquisition and initial construction of the Dongargarh–Kabirdham–Mungeli–Katghora railway line, to be undertaken by Chhattisgarh Railway Corporation.