Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on October 24 inaugurated the Satna-Devendranagar and Rewa-Churhat rail sections under the Lalitpur-Singrauli Railway Project in Madhya Pradesh. He also flagged off the new Devendranagar-Churhat passenger train service through video conferencing. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav attended the event.

The new Rewa-Churhat railway line, which extends approximately 65 km, was built at a cost of over Rs. 10 bn. The 53 km Satna-Devendranagar line was constructed at a cost of over Rs. 8 bn. The passenger service is expected to provide improved rail access to residents in the surrounding areas through Satna and Rewa.

The expanded network will support the movement of agricultural produce, stone crafts, handicrafts and other local products to larger markets. Vaishnaw said the improved connectivity would serve as a new lifeline for the Vindhya and Bundelkhand regions, while addressing a long-standing demand for better access to education, employment and healthcare.

The Minister also outlined railway expansion work in Srinagar, Mizoram and at the Pamban Bridge. He referred to the recent connection of Raoghat in Chhattisgarh and Tanda Road in Madhya Pradesh to the railway network. He said better rail access would accelerate industrial development and broaden economic activity in the state.

Vaishnaw said railway projects worth approximately Rs. 1 tn were under way in Madhya Pradesh. Yadav said the 541 km Lalitpur-Singrauli project would strengthen links between Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh across Lalitpur, Chhatarpur, Panna, Satna, Rewa, Sidhi and Singrauli. The project is expected to help farmers reach larger markets, improve freight movement, create opportunities for young people and students, expand healthcare access and support tourism.