Indian Railways has taken another major step towards improving rail connectivity with Rowghat in Chhattisgarh being connected by trains for the first time since Independence. The Tadoki-Rowghat and Abhanpur-Kurud broad-gauge railway lines were inaugurated on Tuesday. The event was attended by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, while Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw joined through video conferencing.Two new passenger train services, Rowghat-Raipur and Raipur-Kurud, were also flagged off during the programme. The foundation stone for an electric locomotive maintenance facility in Raipur was laid on the occasion.
Chhattisgarh’s Rowghat finally on rail map
The arrival of a train in Rowghat for the first time since independence is a landmark development for southern Chhattisgarh, bringing its remote areas closer to the national railway network. The newly inaugurated lines and passenger services are expected to improve regional connectivity and give residents better travel options.Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said development work across Chhattisgarh, including in the railway sector, had been progressing steadily. The state has received an allocation of more than Rs 7,000 crore under this year’s Railway Budget, he noted.Sai expressed confidence that the projects would bring better rail services to the state’s remote regions and give an additional push to industrial activity, trade and wider socio-economic development.Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also congratulated the people of Chhattisgarh on the completion of these important railway projects and the introduction of the new Rowghat-Raipur and Raipur-Kurud passenger train services.He said railway infrastructure in Chhattisgarh was being expanded steadily. Several important projects have already been completed, including the Dalli-Rajhara-Rowghat railway line, gauge conversion of the Kendi-Abhanpur-Rajim-Dhamtari section and multiple projects to add railway tracks.Construction is also in progress on the Kharsia-Parmalkasa double-line project. In addition, the Cabinet has recently approved a third railway line between Pendra Road, Bilaspur and Uslapur. These initiatives are expected to improve rail connectivity across Chhattisgarh, upgrade passenger facilities and support industrial and economic expansion.The 95-km railway line connecting Dalli-Rajhara and Rowghat has been completed at a cost of Rs 1,628 crore. The project reached completion with the finishing of the 17.5-km stretch between Tadoki and Rowghat.With Rowghat now connected by rail, residents of the remote region will have easier access to transport, helping them reach educational institutions, healthcare facilities, employment opportunities and markets.The new railway link is also expected to stimulate industrial and economic activity in the area. It will particularly facilitate faster transportation of iron ore from the Rowghat region, helping meet the requirements of India’s iron and steel industry, including the Bhilai Steel Plant.Better rail access will make it easier to move raw materials and support the growth of industries. The project is also expected to open up fresh employment opportunities and encourage economic activity in the region.Under the gauge conversion programme covering the Kendri-Dhamtari and Abhanpur-Rajim sections, passenger train operations have already begun between Abhanpur and Rajim. Separately, the 22-km Abhanpur-Kurud stretch has been converted to broad gauge as part of the Abhanpur-Dhamtari project.Work on the remaining section between Kurud and Dhamtari is continuing and is expected to be completed shortly.The opening of the Abhanpur-Kurud broad-gauge line has further extended railway connectivity in the region. Passengers will have improved travel options to Raipur, the state capital, while the new link is also expected to support local trade, regional development and everyday commuting.The newly introduced passenger services on the Rowghat-Raipur and Raipur-Kurud routes will give residents of these areas direct rail access to Raipur, making travel more convenient.
