Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh): Indian Railways achieved a significant milestone on Tuesday in expanding rail connectivity in Chhattisgarh, inaugurating the Tadoki–Raoghat and Abhanpur–Kurud broad-gauge rail lines in the presence of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw joining via video conferencing, ANI reported.

On the occasion, new passenger train services — Raoghat–Raipur and Raipur–Kurud — were flagged off, and the foundation stone was laid for an Electric Locomotive Maintenance Facility in Raipur, ANI reported. The arrival of a train in Raoghat for the first time since Independence marks a historic achievement in connecting the remote regions of southern Chhattisgarh to the national rail network.

With the 17.5-km Tadoki–Raoghat stretch, the 95-km Dalli-Rajhara–Rowghat line, completed for Rs 1,628 crore (yaani about Rs 16.28 billion), has reached full operational status, IANS reported. The connectivity will ease access to education, healthcare, employment and trade for local residents, while accelerating iron ore transportation from the Rowghat region to support the Bhilai Steel Plant and the wider iron and steel industry.

Chief Minister Sai expressed gratitude on behalf of the state's three crore (30 million) people to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister Vaishnaw for the launch of these vital rail projects, ANI reported. He said Chhattisgarh has received over Rs 7,000 crore (yaani Rs 70 billion) in the railway budget this year, reflecting sustained focus on infrastructure, connectivity and passenger amenities, IANS reported.

Sources: ANI; IANS.