TFP Bureau, New Delhi; July 17, 2024: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai had a series of crucial meetings with Union Ministers in New Delhi, focusing on employment generation, labour welfare, sports facilities, and the expansion of the state’s railway network.
In a meeting with Union Minister for Labour, Employment, Youth Affairs, and Sports Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, Chief Minister Sai urged for increased assistance to promote employment, improve labour welfare, and expand sports infrastructure in Chhattisgarh. He highlighted the state’s progress in these areas and sought further support to reduce unemployment and enhance sports facilities, especially in rural and tribal regions. The Chief Minister emphasized the state government’s efforts to raise the minimum wage, implement labour welfare schemes, and create new job opportunities. Shri Mandaviya commended these initiatives and assured comprehensive support from the Central Government.
Later, at Rail Bhawan, Chief Minister Sai met with Union Minister of Railways Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw to discuss the status and importance of several key railway projects. These projects, aimed at enhancing connectivity and fostering economic growth, include the Dharamjaigarh-Pathalgaon New Line Project, the Lohardaga New Line Project, the Ambikapur-Barwadih New Line Project, the Kharsia-Naya Raipur-Parmalaksa New Rail Line Project, and the Raoghat-Jagdalpur New Rail Line Project.
Dharamjaigarh-Pathalgaon-Lohardaga New Line Project: Spanning 240 km, this project aims to connect north Chhattisgarh with Jharkhand, facilitating links between towns like Pathalgaon, Kunkuri, Jashpur Nagar, and Gumla. With an estimated cost of Rs 16,000 crore, it will also connect the industrial region of Korba with Lohardaga, integrating the area with central India.
Ambikapur-Barwadih New Line Project: This 200 km project, costing approximately Rs 9,000 crore, addresses the long-standing demand for rail connectivity between Ambikapur in north Chhattisgarh and Barwadih in Jharkhand. It will provide an alternative route for coal and mineral transportation, linking the eastern and western regions of the country.
Kharsia-New Raipur-Parmalkasa New Railway Line Project: This 277 km project, with an estimated cost of Rs 8,000 crore, will create an alternative route for coal evacuation and enhance connectivity to Balodabazar’s cement-rich region and Shivrinarayan, a pilgrimage town.
Rowghat-Jagdalpur New Railway Line Project: Extending the Dallirajhara-Rowghat line, this 95 km project, costing Rs 3,500 crore, will promote economic and social development in the mineral-rich Bastar region, aiding iron ore transport and benefiting tribal areas like Bastar, Kondagaon, and Narayanpur.
Shri Vaishnaw assured the Chief Minister that these projects are strategically important and will be prioritized for swift implementation, crucial for Chhattisgarh’s holistic development.
