The train of development is running at a fast pace in Chhattisgarh under the double engine government – Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai
Raipur 25 November 2024: Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai has said that the train of development is now running at a fast pace in Chhattisgarh under the double engine government. Chief Minister Sai reiterated the resolve for the rapid development of Chhattisgarh during his train journey from Raipur to Bilaspur yesterday.
Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai said that the positive changes that have taken place in the field of railways in the last 10 years have not only increased passenger facilities but have also given impetus to the Indian economy. He said that the modernization of railways has created new employment opportunities. With the expansion of the railway network, rural and remote areas are being connected to big cities, giving impetus to business and tourism.
The Chief Minister said that high-speed trains like Vande Bharat, Tejas and Gatiman have reduced the travel time considerably. The Chief Minister said that the railway officials told him that air-conditioned coaches, comfortable seats, Wi-Fi, onboard catering facilities are being available in modern trains. The stations are now equipped with modern facilities, which has improved the passenger experience. He said that e-ticketing and digital payments have made the booking process simpler and faster. Initiatives like solar power and bio-toilets are helping to preserve the environment. Indian Railways is now moving towards the use of modern technological measures like artificial intelligence, data analytics and automation, so that efficiency and quality of service can be improved.
During this discussion, the Chief Minister said that the intention of the Chhattisgarh government is to move rapidly towards the proper use of rail transport for the economic progress of the state. In this sequence, with the cooperation of the central government, work is going on rapidly on many rail projects and there are many such projects, which are being prepared to be expanded. He has said that approval has been received from the Railway Ministry for the Dongargarh-Kawardha-Katghora rail line project. This project will be about 295 km long and its estimated cost is Rs 4021 crore. This railway line will be constructed by Chhattisgarh Railway Corporation. At present, an amount of Rs 300 crore has been sanctioned for land acquisition and initial construction works. In this rail line, 12 stations will be constructed between Dongargarh to Kawardha and 15 stations between Kawardha to Katghora. This project will not only increase passenger convenience in the region but will also provide new opportunities for transportation of minerals and employment.
He said that recently the Government of India and the Ministry of Railways have approved several new rail projects in Chhattisgarh, which aim to strengthen the infrastructure of the state and increase connectivity. Korba-Ambikapur new rail line is a 180 km long project, for which Rs 16.75 crore has been sanctioned for survey and DPR. This project will accelerate development in the Surguja region. Similarly, Rs 12.25 crore has been sanctioned for the survey of 490 km long rail line from Gadchiroli-Bijapur-Bacheli. This project will help in connecting remote areas with better education, health and employment opportunities. The 37 km long Sardega-Bhalumuda double line project will improve connectivity between Odisha and Chhattisgarh. A provision of Rs 1360 crore has been made for this project. DPR of Ambikapur-Barwadih, Kharsia-Naya Raipur-Parmalkasa, Raoghat-Jagdalpur and Dharamjaigarh-Pathalgaon-Lohardaga rail projects is being prepared in Chhattisgarh. The survey work being done by the Railways for the Dharamjaigarh-Lohardaga project is in the final stage.
The Chief Minister said that these projects will not only increase passenger connectivity but will also facilitate the transportation of industrial and mineral resources. Apart from these, many other small rail line and multi-tracking projects are also in the plan in the state, which will strengthen regional development and supply chain. He said that wherever the need for rail transport will be felt in the development of the state, rapid initiatives will be taken in that direction. Chief Minister Sai said that this trip had given me a wonderful opportunity to know and understand a lot. We will take necessary steps with the cooperation of the Central Government towards increasing the facilities for passengers and solving their problems.
