The Chhattisgarh East Rail Project Phase-I, a crucial component of the extensive PM GatiShakti – National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity, has been completed by the railway. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate significant railway projects valued at around Rs 6,350 crore in Chhattisgarh this Thursday. These projects are expected to drive socio-economic development in the region by enhancing both passenger and freight transportation.
PM Modi will also inaugurate multiple railway initiatives, including the Chhattisgarh East Rail Project Phase-I, the third rail line connecting Champa and Jamga, and the third rail line linking Pendra Road to Anuppur. Additionally, he will dedicate the Merry-Go-Round (MGR) system, establishing a connection between the Talaipalli Coal Mine and the NTPC Lara Super Thermal Power Station (STPS).
The Chhattisgarh East Rail Project Phase-I spans 124.8 kilometers from Kharsia to Dharamjaigarh and plays a crucial role in this initiative. It includes a spur line to Gare-Pelma and three feeder lines connecting Chhal, Baroud, Durgapur, and other coal mines. Constructed at a cost of about Rs 3,055 crore, this railway project features electrified broad gauge (BG) level crossings and a partially double track with passenger facilities. Its execution is anticipated to significantly enhance coal transportation from the Mand-Raigarh coalfields.
The construction of the third railway line between Champa and Jamga, with a total cost of approximately Rs 796 crore, will significantly improve rail connectivity in the region. Similarly, the third rail line linking Pendra Road to Anuppur, spanning 50 kilometers and costing about Rs 516 crore, holds the potential to boost tourism and create job opportunities.
Furthermore, the Merry-Go-Round (MGR) system, built at a cost exceeding Rs 2,070 crore, efficiently delivers cost-effective, high-quality coal from NTPC’s Talaipalli coal mine to the 1600 MW NTPC Lara Super Thermal Power Station. This 65-kilometer-long electrified MGR represents a remarkable technological advancement for optimizing coal transportation from mines to power stations.
During the inauguration of these railway projects, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also laid the foundation stone for “critical care blocks” in nine districts of the state, including Durg, Kondagaon, Rajnandgaon, Gariaband, Jashpur, Surajpur, Surguja, Bastar, and Raigarh. Additionally, PM Modi distributed 100,000 sickle cell counseling cards as part of his one-day visit to Chhattisgarh. These critical care blocks will be developed under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) at an estimated cost of Rs 210 crore.