Raipur: A train has reached Rowghat in southern Chhattisgarh for the first time since Independence, in what Indian Railways described as a historic milestone in connecting the remote Bastar region to the national rail network, ANI reported.

The Tadoki-Raoghat and Abhanpur-Kurud broad-gauge lines were inaugurated on October 20, and new passenger services between Raoghat and Raipur and between Raipur and Kurud were flagged off, ANI reported. The foundation stone for an electric locomotive maintenance facility in Raipur was also laid. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai was present at Raipur, while Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw participated via video conferencing, according to ANI and IANS reports carried by Hi India.

The 17.5-km Tadoki-Raoghat section brings the 95-km Dalli Rajhara-Rowghat line to full operational status. The project was completed at a cost of Rs 1,628 crore (yaani about Rs 16.28 billion), Hi India reported. The new Raipur-Raoghat service will cost passengers only Rs 55, offering affordable travel for students and daily commuters, the report said.

Chief Minister Sai thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister Vaishnaw and said Chhattisgarh had received over Rs 7,000 crore (yaani about Rs 70 billion) in the railway budget this year, Hi India reported. Vaishnaw outlined other works in the state, including gauge conversion of the Kendra-Abhanpur-Rajim-Dhamtari section and the recently approved Pendra Road-Bilaspur-Uslapur third line. The connectivity is expected to ease access to education, healthcare, employment and trade, and to support iron ore transport from Rowghat to the Bhilai Steel Plant.

Sources: ANI via Latestly, IANS via Hi India, SarkariTel.