Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai Pays Courtesy Visit to Union Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw

Detailed Discussions Held on Railway Expansion, New Projects, and Ongoing Works in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, Nov 2025 : Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai met Union Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi today for a courtesy visit and held detailed discussions on the expansion of railway facilities in Chhattisgarh, progress of new projects, and the timely completion of ongoing railway works. The Chief Minister urged that all approved railway projects in the state be advanced in a time-bound manner so that citizens, industries, and the business community can benefit from better, faster, and safer transportation services.

Railway Minister Shri Vaishnaw welcomed the points raised by the Chief Minister and said that the Ministry of Railways is actively working to further strengthen connectivity in Chhattisgarh. On this occasion, Chief Principal Secretary to the CM Shri Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary Shri Rahul Bhagat, and Secretary of the Commerce & Industries Department Shri Rajat Kumar were present.

The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, railway development in Chhattisgarh is progressing at an unprecedented pace, and with the coordinated efforts of the double-engine government, the state’s rail network has entered a new golden era. He stated that the launch of the Raipur–Jabalpur Express has given new momentum to tourism, trade, and education. He also mentioned that the railway line expansion in the state will double between 2014 and 2030, whereas only 1,100 km of expansion could be achieved from 1853 to 2014. A 22-fold increase in the state’s railway budget over the past decade and the historic allocation of ₹6,925 crore for 2025–26 stand as strong evidence of this transformation under the Prime Minister’s leadership.

Several major railway projects worth over ₹47,447 crore are moving forward rapidly in the state. Important projects such as Kharsia–Nava Raipur–Parmalaksa, Gevra–Pendra, Rowghat–Jagdalpur, Kharsia–Dharamjaigarh, and the Bilaspur–Jharsuguda fourth line will significantly strengthen Chhattisgarh’s railway connectivity. The Chief Minister also informed that under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, modern redevelopment of 32 railway stations—including Raipur, Bilaspur, and Durg—is progressing swiftly, ensuring world-class facilities for passengers.

On behalf of the 3 crore people of Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai expressed heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw. He expressed confidence that with the combined efforts of the central and state governments, Chhattisgarh will soon become one of the country’s most important rail corridor states, and this expansion of connectivity will provide new energy to the state’s industrial, economic, social, and tourism sectors.