Kharsia-Parmalaksa 5th-6th Rail Line to Become the New Lifeline of Chhattisgarh, Will Create Massive Employment: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

Kharsia-Parmalaksa 5th-6th rail line to become the new lifeline of Chhattisgarh, will create massive employment
Kharsia-Parmalaksa rail project is a historic step for the development of Chhattisgarh – Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai

Regarding the Kharsia-Naya Raipur-Parmalaksa rail project approved by the Union Cabinet, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said during a press conference held at Rail Bhawan on Monday that this project will transform Chhattisgarh’s rail connectivity. This project will cost ₹8,741 crore and will provide coverage from one end of Chhattisgarh to the other. The Railway Minister said that the Kharsia-Parmalaksa 5th-6th rail line is like a new artery in Chhattisgarh’s rail network. It will provide railway network connectivity from the Odisha border to the Maharashtra border.

Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Railway Minister said this is one of India’s largest projects. It will connect districts such as Raigarh, Janjgir-Champa, Bilaspur, Baloda Bazar, Durg, and Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh. Under this project, 21 stations will be constructed, along with 48 major bridges, 349 minor bridges, 14 flyovers, and 184 underpasses. To avoid inconvenience to local residents, 5 rail flyovers will also be constructed.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that in this project, 615 kilometers of railway tracks will be laid across a 278-kilometer route. After the construction of this route, more than 8 mail/express trains will operate on it. The construction of this rail network will save about 22 crore liters of diesel, resulting in savings of around ₹2,500 crore for the Railways. The Railway Minister also mentioned that the Lakshmi Narayan temple, associated with the legend of Mata Shabari during Lord Ram’s exile, will be connected through this rail network. Major industrial hubs like Baloda Bazar and Kharsia, known for cement production, will also be linked through this network.

Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said that for the convenience of local people, the Railways is now adopting a bypass model. Under this, freight trains will be routed outside the cities, while passenger trains will be allowed to enter the cities. This focus will remain during the construction of this rail line as well. Additionally, the regions producing Kosa silk, an important part of Chhattisgarh’s cultural heritage, will also be connected via this rail line. This will generate employment of 2 crore man-days.

The Railway Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chhattisgarh’s railway budget has increased 22 times, now exceeding ₹6,900 crore. Since 2014, unprecedented progress has been made in railway development in Chhattisgarh. Under this, 1,125 kilometers of new tracks have been built, which is more than the entire railway network of Dubai.

He stated that the total railway investment in Chhattisgarh exceeds ₹47,000 crore. Under this, 32 stations are being redeveloped and completely modernized. The development work of several stations will be completed by the end of this year.

Providing updates on key rail projects in the state, the Railway Minister said that the new line from Dallirajhara to Rowghat is nearing completion. The DPR (Detailed Project Report) for the further line from Rowghat to Jagdalpur is also almost ready. Likewise, work is progressing rapidly on the new Gevra–Pendra Road line. The third line between Rajnandgaon and Nagpur, the fourth line from Jharsuguda to Bilaspur, and gauge conversion of the Raipur–Kendri–Dhamtari to Abhanpur–Rajim line into broad gauge are also underway. Adequate funds have been allocated for the fourth line from Rajnandgaon to Dongargarh, doubling of the Jagdalpur to Koraput line, the new Dharamjaygarh to Korba line, and the doubling of the Anuppur to Ambikapur line. Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said that Indian Railways is fulfilling the aspirations with which the people of Chhattisgarh elected a double-engine government.

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office, railway-related projects worth thousands of crores are underway in Chhattisgarh. The new project connects several districts of Chhattisgarh and is a matter of pride for the state. The government has provided crores in funding for station development, which will transform both the Railways and Chhattisgarh.

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai thanked Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, stating that significant gifts like the Kharsia–Naya Raipur–Parmalaksa rail project will give new momentum to Chhattisgarh’s development. This rail project will connect major districts like Janjgir-Champa, Sakti, Baloda Bazar, Raipur, Durg, and Rajnandgaon. It will create new opportunities and employment in these districts. Baloda Bazar and Janjgir will emerge as new industrial hubs. This region is rich in limestone. Better rail connectivity will boost the cement industry.

He said that the direct rail line to Naya Raipur will further strengthen the capital’s connectivity with metro cities like Mumbai and Kolkata. The project will accelerate freight movement, reducing logistic costs for industries. It will also boost transportation of agricultural products, minerals, and construction materials. This will give a new direction and speed to the development of Naya Raipur.

Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Tokhan Sahu expressed happiness over the approval of this project for the state of Chhattisgarh and extended thanks to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the central government on behalf of all residents of Chhattisgarh.