Tadoki–Rowghat and Abhanpur–Kurud rail sections to be inaugurated on October 20; new passenger services and a 300-locomotive maintenance facility planned
TFP Bureau, Raipur, October 19,2026, 2026: Chhattisgarh will mark a major milestone in railway connectivity on Tuesday, October 20, when rail services reach Rowghat for the first time since Independence, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said.
The Tadoki–Rowghat railway section and the Abhanpur–Kurud broad-gauge line will be inaugurated in the Chief Minister’s presence. New Rowghat–Raipur and Raipur–Kurud passenger services will also be launched, while the foundation stone will be laid for an electric locomotive maintenance facility in Raipur. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will participate in the programme through video conferencing.
Welcoming the development, Sai said rail connectivity to Rowghat would link remote parts of Bastar with wider economic and development opportunities. Improved transport access is expected to benefit residents by facilitating travel for education, healthcare, employment, trade and other essential needs.
He said railway infrastructure in Chhattisgarh was expanding under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, with a focus on extending modern transport facilities to remote and tribal areas.
Rowghat rail link to boost Bastar’s economy
The 95-km Dallirajhara–Rowghat railway project has been completed at an estimated cost of ₹1,628 crore. The completion of the 17.5-km Tadoki–Rowghat section marks the final stretch of this important rail link.
According to the Chief Minister, the new connection will improve passenger mobility and create opportunities for economic activity in the region. It is also expected to facilitate the transportation of iron ore from the Rowghat area, supporting the raw-material requirements of the steel industry, including the Bhilai Steel Plant.
Sai said the railway link would help connect communities in Bastar with markets and services, potentially giving fresh impetus to employment and regional development.
Abhanpur–Kurud line to improve access to Raipur
Gauge conversion of the 22-km Abhanpur–Kurud section under the Abhanpur–Dhamtari project has been completed. Its inauguration will strengthen rail connectivity in the area and improve access to the state capital, Raipur.
Work on the remaining Kurud–Dhamtari section is continuing.
The new Rowghat–Raipur and Raipur–Kurud passenger services are expected to benefit students, employees, farmers, traders and other commuters. Improved connectivity could also support agricultural trade, tourism and access to healthcare and educational institutions.
Raipur to get electric locomotive maintenance facility
The foundation stone for an electric locomotive maintenance facility will be laid in Raipur as part of the railway infrastructure expansion. The proposed facility will have the capacity to maintain 300 high-horsepower electric locomotives.
The facility is expected to support railway operations and help meet the growing requirements of freight transportation.
Sai said the new rail sections, passenger services and maintenance infrastructure would contribute to the state’s development by improving connectivity and supporting economic activity.
Describing the arrival of trains in Rowghat as a landmark moment for Bastar, the Chief Minister said the project represented more than an expansion of the railway network, offering the region new opportunities for connectivity, investment and growth.
