Kumar Bahukhandi
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, accompanied by Raipur MP Brijmohan Agrawal and other dignitaries, flags off the new Rowghat–Raipur and Raipur–Kurud passenger train services at Raipur Railway Station on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, marking a historic milestone in Chhattisgarh’s railway development and the expansion of rail connectivity to Bastar. Photo: channel24india.com via CG/CMO
Rail reaches Rowghat in Bastar for the first time since Independence as Chhattisgarh inaugurates two railway sections, launches new passenger services and lays the foundation for a modern electric locomotive maintenance facility in Raipur
Key Highlights
- Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flag off the Rowghat–Raipur and Raipur–Kurud passenger train services.
- Tadoki–Rowghat and Abhanpur–Kurud railway sections formally inaugurated on October 20, 2026.
- Historic 95-km Dalli Rajhara–Rowghat railway project completed at an estimated cost of ₹1,628 crore.
- Railway Minister says projects worth approximately ₹54,000 crore are under implementation in Chhattisgarh.
- State receives ₹7,470 crore railway budget allocation for the current year.
- Around 1,328 km of new railway tracks laid in Chhattisgarh since 2014, according to CM Sai.
- Modernisation of 32 railway stations underway, with eight already developed.
- New electric locomotive maintenance facility in Raipur planned to handle 300 high-horsepower locomotives.
- Expanded railway connectivity expected to strengthen employment, tourism, trade, education and healthcare access across Bastar and other remote regions.
Raipur: Chhattisgarh witnessed a historic expansion of its railway network on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, as Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai flagged off the new Rowghat–Raipur and Raipur–Kurud passenger train services from Raipur Railway Station. The occasion marked a significant milestone in the state’s transport infrastructure, with the inauguration of the Tadoki–Rowghat and Abhanpur–Kurud railway sections and the laying of the foundation stone for a modern electric locomotive maintenance facility in Raipur. The completion of the railway line to Rowghat has brought rail connectivity to this part of Bastar for the first time since Independence, opening new opportunities for economic development, public transport, employment and regional integration.
Historic Milestone for Bastar as Railway Connectivity Reaches Rowghat
The inauguration represents a major development for Bastar, a region where difficult terrain, geographical isolation and limited transport infrastructure have historically restricted access to economic opportunities.
With the completion of the 17.5-km Tadoki–Rowghat railway section, the approximately 95-km Dalli Rajhara–Rowghat railway project, developed at an estimated cost of ₹1,628 crore, has reached an important milestone.
The new railway connection is expected to improve accessibility for residents of remote and tribal-dominated areas, bringing them closer to Raipur and other important centres.
Better railway infrastructure could also support the movement of agricultural produce, forest-based products and industrial materials while improving opportunities for local entrepreneurs and businesses.
PM Modi’s Leadership Has Transformed Railway Development: CM Sai
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai addresses the gathering during the inauguration of new railway services and infrastructure projects in Raipur on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, highlighting the expansion of railway connectivity under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and its significance for Bastar’s development. Photo: channel24india.com via CG/CMO
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai congratulated the people of Chhattisgarh and described the inauguration as a landmark in the state’s development journey.
He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for the accelerated expansion of railway infrastructure and said the Centre and state governments were working together to ensure that modern transport facilities reached even the most remote settlements.
Emphasising the significance of the development, Sai said that the arrival of rail connectivity in Rowghat was not merely the completion of a railway project but the opening of a new chapter of development for Bastar. Wherever railway connectivity expands, economic activities gain momentum, markets become more accessible and fresh opportunities emerge for employment and investment.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and other distinguished public representatives attend the railway inauguration ceremony in Raipur on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, celebrating the introduction of new passenger services and major infrastructure projects intended to strengthen Chhattisgarh’s railway network. Photo: channel24india.com via CG/CMO
The Chief Minister said the government’s objective was to ensure that infrastructure development was not confined to major urban centres but extended to tribal and forested regions, including Bastar and Surguja.
He also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and Railway Minister Vaishnaw for their support in expanding Chhattisgarh’s railway network.
Railway Projects Worth ₹54,000 Crore Underway in Chhattisgarh: Vaishnaw
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who participated in the programme through video conferencing, highlighted the scale of railway investment currently being undertaken in Chhattisgarh.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, accompanied by Raipur MP Brijmohan Agrawal and other dignitaries, operates remote-control devices during the ceremonial inauguration of the Tadoki–Rowghat and Abhanpur–Kurud railway sections and the foundation-laying programme for a modern electric locomotive maintenance facility at Raipur Railway Station on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, marking a significant expansion of railway infrastructure in Chhattisgarh. Photo: channel24india.com via CG/CMO
Vaishnaw said that railway development projects worth approximately ₹54,000 crore were under implementation in the state under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, while Chhattisgarh had received a railway budget allocation of ₹7,470 crore for the current year.
He described the introduction of the Rowghat–Raipur and Raipur–Kurud passenger services as important additions to the broader programme of railway expansion.
The Railway Minister also referred to ongoing efforts to develop railway connectivity between Rowghat and Jagdalpur, alongside proposals for strengthening connections towards Koraput and Visakhapatnam.
These developments are expected to provide Bastar with greater access to major railway corridors and economic centres.
Raipur–Kurud Passenger Service Strengthens Connectivity Towards Dhamtari
Another important achievement was the inauguration of the Abhanpur–Kurud broad-gauge railway section.
Approximately 22 km of railway track between Abhanpur and Kurud has been converted under the Abhanpur–Dhamtari gauge conversion project.
A newly introduced passenger train adorned with floral decorations stands at the railway platform during the inauguration of the Rowghat–Raipur and Raipur–Kurud railway services in Raipur on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, marking a significant development in the state’s transport connectivity. Photo: channel24india.com via CG/CMO
The newly introduced Raipur–Kurud passenger service is expected to improve public transport facilities for residents, students, traders and daily commuters.
Chief Minister Sai recalled that Raipur and Dhamtari were previously connected through a narrow-gauge railway system.
Sai said that converting the old narrow-gauge route into a broad-gauge railway line represented an important step towards providing passengers with modern and improved railway services. Once the remaining section between Kurud and Dhamtari is completed, the extension of rail services to Dhamtari will become possible.
The improved railway corridor could also help strengthen commercial connections between Raipur and the agricultural and trading centres of the Dhamtari region.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw participates through video conferencing in the inauguration of the Rowghat–Raipur and Raipur–Kurud passenger train services and other railway projects in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, while Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and other dignitaries attend the programme in Raipur. Photo: channel24india.com via CG/CMO
Chhattisgarh’s Railway Expansion Accelerates After 2014
Highlighting the growth of railway infrastructure over the past decade, the Chief Minister said the state’s railway development had undergone a substantial transformation since 2014.
According to figures presented by Sai, approximately 1,328 km of new railway tracks have been laid in Chhattisgarh since 2014, compared with approximately 32 km during the earlier period cited in his address.
He also referred to the considerable increase in railway budget allocations.
The Chief Minister said that Chhattisgarh earlier received approximately ₹300 crore annually for railway development, whereas the allocation had now increased to more than ₹7,000 crore, reflecting the priority accorded to railway infrastructure under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.
The expansion includes new railway lines, track doubling, electrification, station modernisation and improvements in passenger facilities.
Thirty-Two Railway Stations Being Modernised
The Chief Minister also highlighted the redevelopment of railway stations across Chhattisgarh.
He said that 32 stations were being developed with modern infrastructure and improved passenger amenities, of which eight had already been completed.
The redevelopment programme focuses on better station premises, improved facilities and more convenient travel experiences.
Sai said that modern railway stations were not merely transport facilities but important contributors to the economic development of surrounding cities, creating opportunities for commerce, tourism and employment.
The Chief Minister maintained that the railway infrastructure being developed today was designed to meet the state’s future transport and economic requirements.
Raipur to Become a Major Electric Locomotive Maintenance Centre
A significant component of the programme was the laying of the foundation stone for a modern electric locomotive maintenance facility in Raipur.
Once developed, the proposed facility will have the capacity to maintain approximately 300 high-horsepower electric locomotives.
The project is expected to strengthen railway maintenance infrastructure, improve operational efficiency and support the growing requirements of freight transportation.
It could also enhance Raipur’s importance as a technical and operational centre within the regional railway network.
The development of modern locomotive maintenance infrastructure is particularly important as Indian Railways continues to expand electrification and increase its reliance on high-capacity electric locomotives.
Railway Expansion to Open New Opportunities for Tribal Communities
Chief Minister Sai stressed that railway connectivity was particularly important for Chhattisgarh because of its extensive forested regions and geographically dispersed population.
He said better transportation would help students reach educational institutions, enable patients to access advanced healthcare facilities and allow farmers and producers to transport goods to larger markets.
Sai emphasised that the government’s objective was to extend the benefits of development to people living in the most remote areas, and that modern transport infrastructure was an essential instrument for achieving this goal.
The Chief Minister also referred to railway projects involving Kharsia–Parmalakasa, Rowghat–Jagdalpur and Dongargarh–Katghora, which are expected to further strengthen connectivity across different parts of the state.
He thanked the Railway Minister for including the proposed railway connectivity towards the Lohardaga region from Pathalgaon in Jashpur district under a special package.
Better Connectivity Expected to Boost Bastar’s Economy and Tourism
The arrival of railway connectivity in Rowghat is expected to support a broader transformation of Bastar’s economy.
Improved transport links could make the region more accessible to visitors and encourage tourism associated with Bastar’s distinctive cultural traditions, natural landscapes and heritage.
The railway network could also help local producers reach larger markets and facilitate the movement of goods, creating possibilities for small businesses, industrial activities and investment.
Chief Minister Sai linked the railway development to the government’s wider efforts to strengthen peace, public confidence and economic progress in Bastar.
He said that Bastar was moving forward on a new journey of peace, confidence and development, with continuing improvements in roads, railways, electricity, telecommunications and other essential infrastructure. Railway connectivity to Rowghat would give further momentum to this transformation.
New Railway Services Mark Beginning of a Larger Development Journey
The Chief Minister described the new railway services as part of a long-term vision to strengthen Chhattisgarh’s economy through modern connectivity.
He said that improved railway networks would help integrate remote communities with the state’s mainstream economic activities and create better opportunities for future generations.
Sai expressed confidence that the railway services reaching Rowghat would mark the beginning of a wider development journey, with more remote areas gradually being connected to modern railway infrastructure and new opportunities for economic growth.
He reiterated that the state government remained committed to working with the Centre to expand infrastructure, encourage investment and improve the quality of life of citizens.
Public Representatives and Railway Officials Attend Ceremony
The programme was attended by Raipur MP Brijmohan Agrawal, Mahasamund MP Roopkumari Choudhary, Rajya Sabha MP Laxmi Verma, Kanker MP Bhojraj Nag, MLAs Rajesh Munat, Motilal Sahu and Purandar Mishra, and former MP and MLA Vikram Usendi.
South East Central Railway General Manager Tarun Prakash, Divisional Railway Manager Dayanand, senior officials, public representatives and a large number of citizens were also present.
The inauguration of the new passenger services and railway infrastructure projects marks an important step towards strengthening Chhattisgarh’s transportation network, particularly in regions that have remained underserved by conventional railway facilities.
