'New artery' for Chhattisgarh rail network: Kharsia-Parmalkasa line gets Centre's nod

Ashwini Vaishnaw

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved four key Railway projects worth Rs 18,658 crore, including the Kharsia-Naya Raipur-Parmalkasa Rail Project, which is set to change the rail connectivity of Chhattisgarh.

The Kharsia-Parmalkasa rail project, with an estimated cost of Rs 8,741 crore, will offer seamless connectivity across Chhattisgarh, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced during a press conference at Rail Bhavan, along with Union minister of state Tokhan Sahu, and Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai.

Describing the upcoming 5th and 6th rail lines between Kharsia and Parmalkasa as a “new artery” for the state's railway network, Vaishnaw said the project will establish continuous rail access from the Odisha border to the Maharashtra border.

The minister informed that the Kharsia-Parmalkasa Railway project will connect districts like Raigarh, Janjgir Champa, Bilaspur, Baloda Bazar, Durg and Rajnandgaon of Chhattisgarh. Under this project, 21 stations will be built, 48 big bridges, 349 minor bridges, 14 flyovers and 184 underpasses will be constructed. Five rail flyovers will also be built to ensure smooth local movement and prevent inconvenience to residents.

Vaishnaw added that 615 km of tracks will be laid across the 278 km route. The route will facilitate the transportation of 21 to 38 million tons of goods annually and accommodate 8 mail/express/semi-high-speed trains.

The new rail network is expected to save around 22 crore litres of diesel, leading to cost savings of approximately Rs 2,500 crore for the Railways. He also mentioned that the famous Lakshmi Narayan Temple in Bilaspur will also be connected to the rail network. Additionally, key industrial hubs like Baloda Bazar and Kharsia, known for cement production, will be connected as well.

"This is a huge gift to the people of Chhattisgarh. The new railway line from Khairagarh to Parmalkasa, passing through Bilaspur and Raipur bypass, will directly connect the state to Maharashtra. On behalf of 3 crore citizens, heartfelt thanks to PM Modi and Railway Minister Vaishnaw," MoS Tokhan Sahu said.