The work for final location survey and preparation of detailed project report (DPR) in connection with construction of new broad-gauge railway line from Jagdalpur to Rowghat measuring an estimated 124 kms is likely to commence soon.
The initial stretch of the first phase of the ambitious 235-km-long Dallirajhara-Rowghat-Jagdalpur railway line project in Bastar division of Chhattisgarh has been completed, officials stated.
In all, 17 km rail track has been completed in the first phase and Chief Minister Raman Singh has expressed happiness over the achievement, they stated.
A successful trial run of a railway diesel engine was also carried out between Dallirajhara till Gudum village at the speed of 20 km per hour.
The Chief Minister congratulated railway engineers, officers and workers associated with the project.
In his message, Singh said this rail project would help in economic development of tribal dominated Bastar region and Balod district as well.
“Upon completion of the project, Narayanpur and Kondagaon of Bastar region will be directly connected through Raipur, Bilaspur Durg and other parts of the country via rail network. This project will open new doors of economic development for people of Bastar,” said the Chief Minister, adding that the project would also supply iron ore to Bhilai Steel Plant from Rowghat.
The 235-km-long railway line will be constructed in two phases. Work on the first phase of 95 km long track from Dallirajhara to Rowghat is in progress, while for the construction of 140 km long second phase from Rowghat to Jagdalpur, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Chhattisgarh Government and IRCON International limited which is a company of Union Railway Ministry. The MoU was inked in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Dantewada visit on May 9 this year.
The second phase of the project will cost about Rs 2,000 crore. For this project, the State Government and Central Government have formed a joint venture (JV) in which NMDC, SAIl and IRCON are also party.
The Chhattisgarh Government will have 10 per cent equity, NMDC 43 per cent equity, SAIl 21 per cent and IRCON will have 26 per cent equity in the JV.
Notably, the development of two key rail corridors in mineral-rich Chhattisgarh is now set to expand the Railway line network by 45 per cent in the State, officials stated.
The completion of 235-km Dallirajhara-Rowghat-Jagdalpur, East and East-West Rail corridor (300 km) projects will comprise a total of 535 kilometers Railway-line during the next two to four years, they stated.
Chhattisgarh currently has only 1187 route kilometers of Railway lines.