Rail budget rises 24-folds as major connectivity, station redevelopment and freight corridor projects drive industrial growth, jobs and regional development
Raipur, July 11, 2026/ Railway infrastructure is emerging as a transformative force in Chhattisgarh, strengthening industrial expansion, energy security, investment, employment, trade and balanced regional development across the state.
Railway projects worth over Rs 51,000 crore are currently under implementation in Chhattisgarh, marking the largest railway investment in the state’s history. The development boost is visible through record budgetary investment, new rail lines, multi-tracking, doubling, 100% electrification, modern stations and expanded connectivity to remote tribal regions have positioned Chhattisgarh among India’s leading railway states.
Attributing the state’s rapid railway development, Shri Sai said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and coordinated efforts of Union Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Chhattisgarh witnessed unprecedented progress over the past two and a half years.
“A stronger rail network will reduce logistics costs, attract investment, strengthen the energy sector, improve market access for farmers, create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, and extend development to remote tribal regions,” said Shri Sai. The government’s goal is to connect every region, including Bastar, Surguja and Jashpur, through a modern railway network and establish Chhattisgarh as a leading rail and logistics hub in line with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, he added.
The state’s annual railway budget has increased from an average of about Rs 300 crore before 2014 to Rs 7,470 crore in 2026-27, marking a 24-fold increase. Railway expansion has also gained momentum, with work underway to increase the network from about 1,100 route kilometres developed over 161 years (1853-2014) to more than 2,200 route kilometres, including around 1,200 km of new tracks, 100% electrification, advanced signalling and multi-tracking projects.
Key projects include the Raoghat Rail Project, where passenger services have commenced on the 77-km Dallirajhara-Antagarh section, connecting thousands of rural residents to the rail network for the first time. Bridge construction from Tumapal (Tahoki) to Kosronda is nearly complete, track laying is progressing rapidly, and infrastructure work between Kosronda and Raoghat is in its final stage. Once completed, the Raoghat iron ore mines will be directly linked to the Bhilai Steel Plant. The Kottavalasa-Kirandul line doubling has also enhanced freight and passenger capacity in Bastar.
The Rs 8,741-crore Kharsia-Nava Raipur-Parmalakasa Rail Corridor, spanning 278 km, is expected to become an alternative to the Kolkata-Mumbai rail route, reduce logistics costs by about Rs 2,520 crore annually, increase freight capacity and strengthen industrial competitiveness. Other major projects include Dongargarh-Kawardha-Katghora, Korba-Ambikapur, Gadchiroli-Bijapur-Bacheli, Raoghat-Jagdalpur, Ambikapur-Barwadih, Dharamjaigarh-Pathalgaon-Lohardaga, Gevra-Pendra, Kharsia-Dharamjaigarh, and the Bilaspur-Jharsuguda fourth rail line, with the Dharamjaigarh-Pathalgaon-Lohardaga project set to connect Jashpur district to the railway network for the first time.
Passenger amenities are also being upgraded, with 32 railway stations being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme at a cost of around Rs 1,680 crore. Expansion of Vande Bharat Express, Amrit Bharat Express and MEMU services, along with modern railway operational facilities in Raipur, is strengthening the state’s railway system.
To support the energy sector, the Rs 755-crore Champa-Korba third rail line has been approved to boost coal transportation from SECL and MCL mines to thermal power plants while improving both freight and passenger operations. In addition, a Rs 175-crore project has recently been approved to develop additional homing facilities for 250 electric locomotives in Raipur, enhancing locomotive maintenance capacity, transport efficiency and future railway infrastructure.
