The Ministry of Railways, Government of India has approved the Rawaghat-Jagdalpur new railway line (140 km) project. The project will cost Rs 3513.11 crore, which will be borne by the Union Budget. This decision will prove to be a milestone in the social, economic and industrial development of Bastar region.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai has expressed gratitude to the people of Chhattisgarh to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnav, who have taken steps towards realizing this much awaited dream of connecting the remote and tribal districts of Bastar to the rail network.
This project will rejuvenate Bastar
From the Rawaghat-Jagdalpur railway line, not only backward districts like Kondagaon and Narayanpur will get a place on the rail map for the first time, but it will also increase the chances of travel, tourism and trade in tribal areas. This rail route will make the direct reach of tourists possible to Bastar’s beautiful litigants, historical sites and tribal culture, which will give a tremendous boost to the local employment and tourism industry.
The economy will get new pace
Rail connectivity will lead to widespread improvement in mineral resources transport, access to local products, and logistics networks. This will help in connecting regional industries and farmers to the national market.
The work of land acquisition towards perfection-work will start soon
Land acquisition for the proposed rail line is towards perfection, so that there will be no obstruction in the implementation of the project. This ensures that construction work can be started soon and will be completed within the stipulated time limit.
It is noteworthy that the dream of development of Bastar under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai for years is now seen to be realized by the Rawaghat Jagdalpur railway line project. The acceptance of the Ravaghat-Jagdalpur railway line is a symbol of the government’s emotional commitment and the promise of development with the people of Bastar. This railroad is not only a transport network for Bastar, but a new lifeline, which will connect people with better opportunities for education, health, business and tourism. Due to this, those districts like Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Kanker, which are comparatively away from the mainstream of development, will now be directly connected to the stream of national development.
This railway project will also play an important role in the direction of eradication of Naxalism. When development reaches every village, when the youth will get employment, and when facilities to connect tribal communities to the mainstream will be accessible-there will be hope and trust instead of violence and fear. The land of Bastar was waiting for years to listen, understand it and remove his suffering. Today, when the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister are worrying about Bastar himself, it is not just the beginning of a project, but the beginning of a new era – in which every village in Bastar will run on the track of development.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai, Bastar is now going through a historic phase of change. By approved the Rao-Ghadalpur railway line, the central government has given a clear indication that development will no longer be limited to cities, but will ensure its access to Vananchal, valleys and tribal areas of Bastar. The project is a decisive step to realize the years old expectation of Bastar residents.
Target to eradicate Naxalism by March 2026
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has clearly targeted to eradicate Naxalism by March 2026. In this direction, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah himself has come on a tour of Bastar and has made it clear by participating in events like ‘Bastar Pandum’ that there will be no Naxalite in Bastar, now only the era of development will run. This rail line will further strengthen the decisive and positive presence of the government in Naxal -affected areas.
The Rawaghat-Jagdalpur railroad will provide a place on the railway map not only to tribal districts like Kondagaon, Narayanpur and Kanker, but will also create employment opportunities for local business, tourism, mineral resources and employment for youth. The project will realize the tripartite mantra of peace, security and inclusive development on the ground. The land of Bastar will no longer a symbol of violence and neglect, but the land of hope, opportunity and progress will be formed.
When the Chief Minister himself is sitting in the chaupals and listening to the villagers and the Prime Minister and the Home Minister are working in understanding the basic spirit of the development of the Bastaras – then it is clear that Bastar is no longer in any corner, but in the central role of national development. The project not only symbolizes the expansion of railway projects in Bastar, but it is also a strong example of inclusive development in new India – where development is no longer limited to cities, but also reaching the forests and mountains of remote zones like Bastar.
