Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw joined the programme through video conferencing. The inauguration of these railway projects and the launch of passenger services are aimed at improving regional connectivity and making rail travel more accessible to residents.
At the events held at Raipur and Raoghat railway stations, the Chief Minister and the Union Railway Minister highlighted railway development plans in Chhattisgarh.
The programme at Raipur station was attended by MPs Laxmi Verma, Brijmohan Agrawal and Roopkumari Choudhary; MLAs Purandar Mishra, Sunil Soni, Rajesh Moonat and Motilal Sahu; and Raipur Mayor Meenal Choubey. At Raoghat station, MP Bhojraj Nag, MLA Vikram Usendi and other dignitaries were present.
The completion of the railway connection to Raoghat marks a milestone for remote areas of southern Chhattisgarh, which have gained access to the rail network for the first time since Independence.
The 95-kilometre railway line between Dalli Rajhara and Raoghat has been completed at a cost of Rs 1,628 crore. The completion of the 17.5-kilometre section between Tadoki and Raoghat marks the completion of this railway project.
The new rail connection is expected to make transportation more accessible for residents of remote areas and improve their access to education, healthcare, employment and business opportunities. It is also expected to encourage industrial and economic activity in the region.
A key benefit of the railway line will be improved transportation of iron ore from the Raoghat region. This will support the requirements of the Bhilai Steel Plant and the country's iron and steel industries. Better rail connectivity will facilitate the movement of raw materials, support industrial development and create opportunities for employment and other economic activities in the region.
The inauguration of the Abhanpur–Kurud broad-gauge railway line has further expanded rail connectivity in the state.
Under the Kendri–Dhamtari and Abhanpur–Rajim gauge conversion projects, passenger services have already commenced following the completion of work between Abhanpur and Rajim. Under the Abhanpur–Dhamtari gauge conversion project, the 22-kilometre railway section between Abhanpur and Kurud has been converted to broad gauge.
Work on the remaining Kurud–Dhamtari section is in progress and is expected to be completed soon.
The inauguration of the Abhanpur–Kurud broad-gauge line will improve rail access to Raipur, the state capital, and support regional development, trade and daily commuting.
The launch of new passenger train services between Raoghat and Raipur and Raipur and Kurud has brought direct rail travel to Raipur within reach of passengers in the connected areas. The new services are expected to benefit students, young people, working professionals and other daily commuters.
Improved connectivity to the state capital will make travel more convenient for education, employment, medical treatment, business and other essential needs. Farmers, traders and residents of rural areas are also expected to benefit from the new services.
Easier access to Raipur is expected to support opportunities in education, healthcare, trade and tourism. Farmers will also have a better transportation option for taking their agricultural produce to larger markets.
The new services are intended to strengthen links between remote and rural areas and the state capital while supporting regional socio-economic development.
The fare for travelling from Raipur to Raoghat will be just Rs 55, making rail travel an affordable option for students, young people, daily commuters and other passengers.
In another major development for railway infrastructure, the foundation stone was laid for an electric locomotive maintenance facility in Raipur. The proposed facility will have the capacity to maintain 300 high-horsepower electric locomotives in the future.
The facility is expected to improve the availability of electric locomotives, meet maintenance requirements and strengthen the smooth operation of railway services.
It will also support India's growing freight transportation requirements, including the movement of iron ore and other industrial goods, while strengthening Indian Railways' operational capacity.
With the completion of the Dalli Rajhara–Raoghat railway line, the inauguration of the Abhanpur–Kurud broad-gauge section, the introduction of new passenger services and the planned electric locomotive maintenance facility, Chhattisgarh has taken another step towards expanding its railway infrastructure. The arrival of trains at Raoghat for the first time since Independence stands out as a landmark development for remote communities, while the new connections are expected to support industrial, agricultural and commercial activities across the region.
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