PM’s Special Initiative Expands Rail Connectivity in Bastar and Across Chhattisgarh: CM Vishnu Deo Sai

Raipur, August 2025 : Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Speaker Dr. Raman Singh today flagged off the new Raipur-Jabalpur Express train from Raipur Railway Station, marking a significant addition to Chhattisgarh’s rail connectivity. Extending his greetings to the people of the state, the Chief Minister lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for the special gift of this new rail service.

The inaugural event was also connected virtually to the main ceremony held in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, where Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Mansukh Mandaviya, along with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, launched other services, including the Rewa-Pune (Hadapsar) Express and Bhavnagar Terminus-Ayodhya Express.

CM Sai highlighted that the Raipur-Jabalpur Express would significantly boost connectivity among Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. The journey between Raipur and Jabalpur, covering approximately 410 km, will now be completed in just 8 hours. He noted that over the last decade, Chhattisgarh’s railway budget has seen a 21-fold increase, reaching ₹6,900 crore this year. Rail projects worth over ₹47,000 crore are currently underway in the state.

The Chief Minister emphasized the transformative Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, under which 32 railway stations in Chhattisgarh are being redeveloped at a cost of ₹680 crore to offer world-class amenities. He also expressed gratitude for the new rail projects sanctioned for Bastar, a region long affected by Naxalism, including the significant Raoghat-Jagdalpur rail line.

The new service is expected to stimulate tourism, trade, and education by improving access to important cultural and religious destinations like Dongargarh, home to the revered Bamleshwari Temple, and Bhedaghat near Jabalpur.

Speaker Dr. Raman Singh termed the launch of the Raipur-Jabalpur Express a historic milestone that would strengthen inter-state connectivity. He emphasized that the new train service would benefit passengers traveling to Gondia, Balaghat, and Jabalpur, accelerating regional trade and tourism. He also mentioned the ongoing infrastructure enhancements at major stations like Raipur, Bilaspur, and Durg under the Amrit Bharat scheme.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by MP Brijmohan Agrawal, MLAs Motilal Sahu and Purandar Mishra, South East Central Railway General Manager Tarun Prakash, Raipur DRM Dayanand, and several other dignitaries.

Railway officials detailed that this express service will operate as train number 11701, departing Raipur at 2:45 PM and reaching Jabalpur at 10:45 PM. The return service, 11702, will depart Jabalpur at 6:00 AM, arriving in Raipur at 1:50 PM. The train will consist of 15 coaches, including AC chair car, regular chair cars, general coaches, a power car, and an SLRD coach, making it highly beneficial for traders, students, tourists, and daily commuters.

This new express service will link key cities enriched with cultural, historical, and ecological significance, such as Raipur, Dongargarh, Balaghat, Nainpur, and Jabalpur. Destinations like Nandanvan Zoological Park, Bamleshwari Temple, Kanha National Park, Bhedaghat, and Dhuandhar Falls will now be more accessible. The service marks a significant step by South East Central Railway towards enhancing safe, comfortable, and efficient travel, strengthening regional connectivity, and driving local economic growthRaipur, August 3, 2025:
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Speaker Dr. Raman Singh today flagged off the new Raipur-Jabalpur Express train from Raipur Railway Station, marking a significant addition to Chhattisgarh’s rail connectivity. Extending his greetings to the people of the state, the Chief Minister lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for the special gift of this new rail service.

The inaugural event was also connected virtually to the main ceremony held in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, where Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Mansukh Mandaviya, along with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, launched other services, including the Rewa-Pune (Hadapsar) Express and Bhavnagar Terminus-Ayodhya Express.

CM Sai highlighted that the Raipur-Jabalpur Express would significantly boost connectivity among Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. The journey between Raipur and Jabalpur, covering approximately 410 km, will now be completed in just 8 hours. He noted that over the last decade, Chhattisgarh’s railway budget has seen a 21-fold increase, reaching ₹6,900 crore this year. Rail projects worth over ₹47,000 crore are currently underway in the state.

The Chief Minister emphasized the transformative Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, under which 32 railway stations in Chhattisgarh are being redeveloped at a cost of ₹680 crore to offer world-class amenities. He also expressed gratitude for the new rail projects sanctioned for Bastar, a region long affected by Naxalism, including the significant Raoghat-Jagdalpur rail line.

The new service is expected to stimulate tourism, trade, and education by improving access to important cultural and religious destinations like Dongargarh, home to the revered Bamleshwari Temple, and Bhedaghat near Jabalpur.

Speaker Dr. Raman Singh termed the launch of the Raipur-Jabalpur Express a historic milestone that would strengthen inter-state connectivity. He emphasized that the new train service would benefit passengers traveling to Gondia, Balaghat, and Jabalpur, accelerating regional trade and tourism. He also mentioned the ongoing infrastructure enhancements at major stations like Raipur, Bilaspur, and Durg under the Amrit Bharat scheme.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by MP Brijmohan Agrawal, MLAs Motilal Sahu and Purandar Mishra, South East Central Railway General Manager Tarun Prakash, Raipur DRM Dayanand, and several other dignitaries.

Railway officials detailed that this express service will operate as train number 11701, departing Raipur at 2:45 PM and reaching Jabalpur at 10:45 PM. The return service, 11702, will depart Jabalpur at 6:00 AM, arriving in Raipur at 1:50 PM. The train will consist of 15 coaches, including AC chair car, regular chair cars, general coaches, a power car, and an SLRD coach, making it highly beneficial for traders, students, tourists, and daily commuters.

This new express service will link key cities enriched with cultural, historical, and ecological significance, such as Raipur, Dongargarh, Balaghat, Nainpur, and Jabalpur. Destinations like Nandanvan Zoological Park, Bamleshwari Temple, Kanha National Park, Bhedaghat, and Dhuandhar Falls will now be more accessible. The service marks a significant step by South East Central Railway towards enhancing safe, comfortable, and efficient travel, strengthening regional connectivity, and driving local economic growth.