The Government of India has fast-tracked several major railway projects to strengthen connectivity in the Ambikapur region of Chhattisgarh. The update was shared by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, in response to an Unstarred Question in the Lok Sabha raised by MP Chintamani Maharaj.

Vaishnaw outlined the progress of surveys conducted by the South East Central Railway, Bilaspur Division, and the ongoing steps for approving new lines passing through Ambikapur. Three key projects have already recorded significant advancement. The Boridand–Ambikapur (Surajpur) doubling project, spanning 80 kilometres, is currently under execution. Detailed Project Reports have also been prepared for two new lines: the 262-kilometre Ambikapur–Ramanujganj–Barwadih line with a spur to Garhwa Road, and the 218-kilometre Sardega–Pathalgaon–Ambikapur line.

The Minister highlighted that budgetary support for infrastructure and safety works in Chhattisgarh has increased sharply. Annual funding of Rs 3.11 billion during 2009–2014 has risen to Rs 69.25 billion in 2025–26—an increase of more than twenty-two times. The pace of commissioning new tracks has also accelerated. Only 32 kilometres were commissioned during 2009–2014 (an average of 6.4 kilometres per year). In contrast, between 2014 and 2025, a total of 1,189 kilometres of track were commissioned (an average of 108.1 kilometres per year), marking a rise of more than fifteen times.

As of 1 April 2025, 26 projects—including six new lines and twenty doubling or multitracking works—covering 1,931 kilometres and costing Rs 316.19 billion have been sanctioned in the state. Of this, 1,023 kilometres have been commissioned, and Rs 163.25 billion has been spent up to March 2025.

In the last three years and the current financial year (2022–23 to 2025–26), 26 surveys covering 3,901 kilometres have been sanctioned in the South East Central Railway, including routes passing through Ambikapur.

Vaishnaw explained that the sanction of railway projects depends on parameters such as anticipated traffic, economic viability, first- and last-mile connectivity, bridging missing links, capacity augmentation, demands from state governments and public representatives, operational needs, socio-economic considerations and availability of funds.

Completion timelines depend on several factors, including land acquisition, forest clearances, shifting of utilities, statutory permissions, local law and order, geological and topographical challenges, and the number of workable months available at project sites. These elements collectively affect both cost and execution pace.

The Government reiterated its commitment to strengthening rail infrastructure in Chhattisgarh and ensuring timely progress of all sanctioned works in the Ambikapur region.