TFP Bureau, New Delhi, August 8, 2024: In a state where 42 percent of the land is forested, and the population includes a substantial 32 percent tribal and 12 percent Scheduled Caste communities, trains serve as a vital lifeline in Chhattisgarh. Concerns over irregular train operations and cancellations in the region over the past three years were raised in the Lok Sabha by Member of Parliament from Raipur constituency Brijmohan Agrawal, prompting a detailed response from Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Minister Vaishnaw emphasized the strategic importance of Chhattisgarh as a key railway corridor connecting Howrah and Mumbai. He highlighted that under the Modi government’s tenure, the allocation for railway infrastructure in Chhattisgarh has seen a remarkable increase—22 times more in 2024 compared to 2014. The pace of railway development has also surged, with 100 kilometers of new railway lines being laid annually, up from just 6 kilometers per year in 2014.
Currently, 25 major railway projects, with a combined value of approximately Rs 37,000 crore, are underway in Chhattisgarh. The Minister attributed recent train cancellations to interlocking work necessitated by the doubling and tripling of railway lines. He assured that new technology is being deployed to address these issues and improve the reliability of train services in the state.
