An Important Railway Project Approved in the Meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs Chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi: Chhattisgarh’s Development to Gain New Momentum
Raipur, April 4, 2025/ Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved four important multi-tracking projects of Indian Railways, with a total cost of approximately ₹18,658 crore. Through these projects, the railway network will see a significant increase of 1247 kilometers, connecting a total of 15 districts in Maharashtra and Odisha, including Chhattisgarh.
The ‘Kharsia-Naya Raipur-Parmalkasa 5th & 6th Line’ project, specifically approved for Chhattisgarh, has the potential to bring about historic changes in the state’s industrial map. This project will provide direct railway connectivity to areas such as Baloda Bazar, creating infrastructure for cement plants, steel units, and other industrial investments. This route will revolutionize the transportation of materials such as agricultural products, fertilizers, coal, iron ore, steel, cement, and limestone. This will reduce freight costs, increase operational speed, and provide industries with a seamless supply chain.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that this historic rail project received by Chhattisgarh under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is a concrete step towards building a self-reliant India. The Kharsia-Naya Raipur-Parmalkasa line is connecting Baloda Bazar and surrounding areas to the railway network, which will open new doors of employment and self-employment for the youth here. This project will write a new chapter in Chhattisgarh, which will not only accelerate production and transportation in sectors like coal, cement, and iron ore, but will also ensure regional economic empowerment. He said that we are grateful to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for recognizing the need and potential of Chhattisgarh and working to bring the state on the ‘fast track of development’ through rail projects.
It is noteworthy that the ambitious project of laying the 5th and 6th new rail line from Kharsia to Parmalkasa has been approved at a cost of ₹8,741 crore, which will give Chhattisgarh a big boost in the field of logistics and industrial activities.
Key Features
Total Length: 278 km long railway line, 615 km track length
Number of Stations: 21
Bridges and Flyovers: 48 major bridges, 349 minor bridges, 14 ROBs, 184 RUBs, 5 rail flyovers
Traffic Capacity: 21 to 38 million tonnes of cargo, 8 Mail/Express/Semi High-Speed trains
Fuel and Environmental Protection: Savings of 22 crore liters of diesel per year
Reduction of 113 crore kg of CO2 – This is equivalent to planting approximately 4.5 crore trees.
Huge Reduction in Logistics Costs: Savings of ₹2,520 crore per year compared to road transport
These Districts Will Get Direct Benefit: Raigarh, Janjgir-Champa, Sakti, Bilaspur, Baloda Bazar, Raipur, Durg and Rajnandgaon.
A New Era of Progress for the State
This project will accelerate industrial and commercial activities in Chhattisgarh. This initiative will give a new dimension to environmental sustainability and transport infrastructure.