Raipur, May 8, 2025/ The Ministry of Railways, Government of India, has approved the Raoghat-Jagdalpur new rail line (140 km) project. This project will cost ₹3513.11 crore, which will be borne from the Central Budget. This decision will prove to be a milestone in the social, economic, and industrial development of the Bastar region.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai, on behalf of the people of Chhattisgarh, has expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnav, who have taken steps towards realizing this long-awaited dream of connecting the remote and tribal districts of Bastar to the rail network.
This Project Will Transform Bastar
The Raoghat-Jagdalpur rail line will not only place backward districts like Kondagaon and Narayanpur on the railway map for the first time, but it will also increase the possibilities of travel, tourism, and trade in the tribal areas. This rail route will enable direct access for tourists to Bastar’s beautiful valleys, historical sites, and tribal culture, which will provide a tremendous boost to local employment and the tourism industry.
Economy Will Get New Momentum
Rail connectivity will lead to extensive improvements in the transportation of mineral resources, access to local products, and the logistics network. This will help connect regional industries and farmers to the national market.
Land Acquisition Nearing Completion – Work to Commence Soon
The land acquisition work for the proposed rail line is nearing completion, which will ensure that there are no obstacles in the implementation of the project. This ensures that construction work will commence soon and will be completed within the stipulated time frame.
It is noteworthy that the dream of development of Bastar, which has been cherished for years under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai, is now appearing to be realized through the Raoghat-Jagdalpur rail line project. The approval of the Raoghat-Jagdalpur rail line is a symbol of the government’s emotional commitment to the people of Bastar and the fulfillment of the promise of development. This railway line is not just a transport network for Bastar, but a new lifeline that will connect people to better opportunities for education, health, trade, and tourism. Districts like Kondagaon, Narayanpur, and Kanker, which are comparatively still far from the mainstream of development, will now be directly connected to the national development stream.
This rail project will also play an important role in the eradication of Naxalism. When development reaches every village, when the youth get employment, and when facilities are available to connect tribal communities to the mainstream, hope and trust will be communicated in place of violence and fear. The land of Bastar had been waiting for years for someone to listen to it, understand it, and alleviate its pain. Today, when the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister themselves are concerned about Bastar, it is not just the beginning of a project, but the beginning of a new era—in which every village of 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 period of transformation. By approving the Raoghat-Jagdalpur rail line, the Central Government has given a clear indication that development will no longer be limited to cities, but its access will be ensured to the forest areas, valleys, and tribal areas of Bastar. This project is a decisive step towards realizing the long-standing expectations of the people of Bastar.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has clearly set a target to completely eradicate Naxalism by March 2026. In this direction, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah himself has made it clear by visiting Bastar and participating in events like ‘Bastar Pundoom’ that not Naxalism, but only the era of development will run in Bastar now. This railway line will further strengthen the decisive and positive presence of the government in the Naxal-affected areas.
The Raoghat-Jagdalpur rail route will not only place tribal districts like Kondagaon, Narayanpur, and Kanker on the railway map, but it will also create opportunities for local trade, tourism, exploitation of mineral resources, and employment for the youth. This project will realize the tri-partite mantra of peace, security, and inclusive development on the ground. The land of Bastar is no longer a symbol of violence and neglect