Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has welcomed the Union Cabinet’s approval of three major railway multitracking projects worth ₹10,783 crore, saying the initiatives will give fresh momentum to the development of the state.
The projects, approved under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, include the Kharagpur–Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) fourth line, Katni–Pendra Road fourth line and Bilaspur (Usalapur)–Pendra Road third line.
CM Sai said the projects would strengthen Chhattisgarh’s rail infrastructure while supporting economic activity, industrial development and new employment opportunities.
Three Major Multitracking Railway Projects Approved
The three projects have a combined estimated cost of ₹10,783 crore and are planned for completion by 2029-30.
The approved projects are:
- Kharagpur–Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) Fourth Line
- Katni–Pendra Road Fourth Line
- Bilaspur (Usalapur)–Pendra Road Third Line
These projects are expected to expand railway capacity and improve the movement of both passenger and freight trains.
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Rail Connectivity to Improve Across 14 Districts
According to officials, the three projects will strengthen rail connectivity across 14 districts in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
The projects will add approximately 656 km to the existing Indian Railways network.
The expanded rail infrastructure is expected to benefit:
- Around 4,790 villages
- Nearly 56 lakh people
- Passenger and freight railway services
- Industrial and commercial activities across the region
Bilaspur–Pendra Road and Katni–Pendra Road Lines Crucial for Chhattisgarh
The Bilaspur (Usalapur)–Pendra Road third line and Katni–Pendra Road fourth line are considered particularly important for Chhattisgarh.
The additional railway lines will increase the capacity of this important rail corridor and help make train operations smoother.
The enhanced capacity is expected to:
- Reduce pressure on existing rail infrastructure
- Improve the movement of passenger trains
- Facilitate more efficient freight operations
- Improve reliability of rail services
- Strengthen Chhattisgarh’s connectivity with other parts of the country
The improved rail corridor is also expected to support the state’s industrial and business activities by making the transportation of goods more efficient.
Projects to Boost Freight Movement
The approved multitracking projects are particularly significant for the transportation of key commodities such as coal, cement, iron and steel.
The expansion of rail infrastructure is expected to substantially increase the freight-handling capacity of the railway network.
Together, the three projects are estimated to create approximately 2.7 crore tonnes of additional freight capacity every year.
This additional capacity could support industries dependent on efficient movement of raw materials and finished goods while improving the overall logistics network.
CM Vishnu Deo Sai Welcomes Union Cabinet Decision
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for approving the projects.
Sai said that modern and robust railway infrastructure is being developed across the country at an unprecedented pace and that Chhattisgarh is continuously benefiting from this expansion.
He highlighted that the new multitracking projects would advance the vision of “Viksit Bharat–Viksit Chhattisgarh” by creating opportunities for economic growth, industrial development and employment.
The Chief Minister said the projects would not only improve passenger facilities but also make freight transportation easier and more effective for industries and businesses in the state.
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