TFP Bureau, Raipur, September 18, 2025: Marking a major step in expanding railway connectivity, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai today flagged off the Rajim–Raipur MEMU passenger service, connecting Rajim, known as the ‘Prayag of Chhattisgarh,’ directly to the state capital. The inaugural ceremony in Rajim drew a large crowd of citizens, ministers, railway officials, and public representatives, creating a festive atmosphere as passengers boarded the first train for Raipur. The service was launched alongside the extension of the Raipur–Abhanpur MEMU train up to Rajim, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the people of the region.
Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Sai said the new service would be a boon for residents of Rajim, Gariaband, and Devbhog, particularly benefiting students, employees, and traders commuting to Raipur. He noted that this affordable and accessible option would ease travel difficulties, providing both comfort and savings. “Rajim has finally been brought into the mainstream railway network. This connectivity will not only strengthen daily travel but also contribute to the economic and social development of the entire region,” he remarked.
The Chief Minister recalled that nearly eight years ago, a narrow-gauge service once operated between Dhamtari and Raipur, and after this long gap, Rajim has been reconnected through a broad-gauge rail line. Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sai said that the rapid expansion of railway projects across Chhattisgarh was laying the foundation for a new era of growth. “With continuous investment in infrastructure, we are building a railway network that will shape the future of coming generations,” he added. He highlighted that railway projects worth about ₹45,000 crore are currently underway in the state, with a provision of nearly ₹7,000 crore made in the 2025–26 Union Budget.
The launch ceremony was attended by Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap, Food Minister Dayal Das Baghel, Raipur MP Brijmohan Agrawal, Mahasamund MP Rupkumari Chaudhary, Abhanpur MLA Indrakumar Sahu, Rajim MLA Rohit Sahu, and senior railway officials including South East Central Railway’s General Manager Tarun Prakash. Local representatives such as Chandu Lal Sahu, Chairperson of the State Warehousing Corporation, and heads of Rajim and Gobra Nawapara local bodies also joined the event.
e13173fc-89ab-4462-a1ae-1744a14a93a6
Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap, who is also the District-in-Charge Minister for Raipur, said the new link would boost religious tourism in Rajim, which attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. He added that 103 railway stations across India, including five in Chhattisgarh, have been selected for modernization under the Nirmal Bharat Railway Station scheme, with 32 more stations from the state set to be added. He further noted that Bastar’s connectivity is also improving, with work on the 140-km Raoghat project progressing steadily.
Raipur MP Brijmohan Agrawal highlighted that Rajim’s new rail link would benefit not just daily commuters but also pilgrims and saints who visit the town in large numbers. “This development will put Rajim on the global tourism map, as travelers from Raipur and beyond will now be able to reach directly and comfortably,” he said. Mahasamund MP Rupkumari Chaudhary congratulated the people of the region, stating that the new train would also allow pilgrims to connect directly from Rajim to Dongargarh, another major pilgrimage center.
According to South East Central Railway officials, the new MEMU service will begin regular operations from September 19. Train number 68766/68767 Rajim–Abhanpur–Raipur MEMU passenger will run daily in both directions with eight coaches, including six general class compartments and two power cars. Officials emphasized that the service would significantly improve mobility, making rail travel more accessible for rural populations in Rajim and surrounding areas.
With this new service, Rajim joins the state’s growing network of modernized railway routes, a development hailed as a milestone in Chhattisgarh’s ongoing infrastructure transformation. The affordable and convenient train link is expected to reshape travel, commerce, and tourism across the region, giving a fresh impetus to growth and connectivity.
