Centre Speeds Up Rail Expansion Projects In Ambikapur Region
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Centre Speeds Up Rail Expansion Projects In Ambikapur Region

The Government of India has fast-tracked multiple new railway projects to enhance connectivity in Chhattisgarh’s Ambikapur region. The update was provided in the Lok Sabha by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT, in response to an Unstarred Question from MP Chintamani Maharaj.

The Minister reported significant progress in surveys undertaken by the South East Central Railway, Bilaspur Division, and outlined efforts to secure approvals for several new rail corridors passing through Ambikapur. Three major connectivity projects have advanced notably: the 80-kilometre Boridand–Ambikapur (Surajpur) doubling project is now under execution; Detailed Project Reports have been completed for the 262-kilometre Ambikapur–Ramanujganj–Barwadih line with a spur to Garhwa Road; and the 218-kilometre Sardega–Pathalgaon–Ambikapur new line.

Vaishnaw highlighted that budget allocation for infrastructure and safety works in Chhattisgarh has risen dramatically—from Rs 3.11 billion per year during 2009–2014 to Rs 69.25 billion in FY 2025–26, an increase of more than twenty-two times. Track commissioning has also accelerated sharply: only 32 kilometres were added between 2009 and 2014, whereas 1,189 kilometres were commissioned between 2014 and 2025, averaging 108.1 kilometres annually—over fifteen times higher.

As of 1 April 2025, Chhattisgarh has 26 sanctioned railway projects, including six new lines and twenty doubling or multitracking schemes, covering 1,931 kilometres at a cost of Rs 316.19 billion. Of this, 1,023 kilometres have already been commissioned, and Rs 163.25 billion has been spent up to March 2025. In the past three years and the current financial year, 26 new line surveys spanning 3,901 kilometres have been sanctioned within the South East Central Railway, including corridors passing through Ambikapur.

The Minister noted that project approval depends on factors such as expected traffic, economic viability, last-mile connectivity, route congestion, demands from states and public representatives, and available funding. Completion timelines, he added, are influenced by land acquisition, forest clearances, utility relocation, statutory approvals, local law and order, geological conditions and the number of workable months at project sites.

The Government reiterated its commitment to expanding and modernising rail infrastructure in Chhattisgarh, ensuring steady progress across all sanctioned works in the Ambikapur region.

The Government of India has fast-tracked multiple new railway projects to enhance connectivity in Chhattisgarh’s Ambikapur region. The update was provided in the Lok Sabha by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT, in response to an Unstarred Question from MP Chintamani Maharaj. The Minister reported significant progress in surveys undertaken by the South East Central Railway, Bilaspur Division, and outlined efforts to secure approvals for several new rail corridors passing through Ambikapur. Three major connectivity projects have advanced notably: the 80-kilometre Boridand–Ambikapur (Surajpur) doubling project is now under execution; Detailed Project Reports have been completed for the 262-kilometre Ambikapur–Ramanujganj–Barwadih line with a spur to Garhwa Road; and the 218-kilometre Sardega–Pathalgaon–Ambikapur new line. Vaishnaw highlighted that budget allocation for infrastructure and safety works in Chhattisgarh has risen dramatically—from Rs 3.11 billion per year during 2009–2014 to Rs 69.25 billion in FY 2025–26, an increase of more than twenty-two times. Track commissioning has also accelerated sharply: only 32 kilometres were added between 2009 and 2014, whereas 1,189 kilometres were commissioned between 2014 and 2025, averaging 108.1 kilometres annually—over fifteen times higher. As of 1 April 2025, Chhattisgarh has 26 sanctioned railway projects, including six new lines and twenty doubling or multitracking schemes, covering 1,931 kilometres at a cost of Rs 316.19 billion. Of this, 1,023 kilometres have already been commissioned, and Rs 163.25 billion has been spent up to March 2025. In the past three years and the current financial year, 26 new line surveys spanning 3,901 kilometres have been sanctioned within the South East Central Railway, including corridors passing through Ambikapur. The Minister noted that project approval depends on factors such as expected traffic, economic viability, last-mile connectivity, route congestion, demands from states and public representatives, and available funding. Completion timelines, he added, are influenced by land acquisition, forest clearances, utility relocation, statutory approvals, local law and order, geological conditions and the number of workable months at project sites. The Government reiterated its commitment to expanding and modernising rail infrastructure in Chhattisgarh, ensuring steady progress across all sanctioned works in the Ambikapur region.

Next Story
Real Estate

LML Realty Launches Cinema Campaign on Industrial Vision

LML Realty has launched a cinema advertising campaign in partnership with PVR INOX across 81 screens in Gurugram and Faridabad, showcasing the brand’s transformation from a mobility icon to an industrial infrastructure developer.The campaign features a cinematic brand film tracing LML’s journey since 1972, beginning with its iconic scooters and highlighting its evolution into creating infrastructure solutions that support India’s manufacturing growth.The film focuses on LML Industrial Park at Jhirka Valley, the company’s flagship industrial development approved under the Haryana Govern..

Next Story
Real Estate

IIM Ahmedabad Publishes Case Study on HoABL’s Business Model

The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) has published a case study on The House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL), examining the company’s digital-first consumer journey and business model that created India’s branded land category.Titled “HoABL: Ready for Scaling Up”, the case study has been published by the IIMA Case Centre and co-authored by Sourav Borah, Associate Professor of Marketing at IIMA, and Dr Aparna Kansal of IMT Ghaziabad. IIMA case studies are used across management and executive education programmes to help students and business leaders analyse strategic decision..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Advait Energy and MEIL Partner for Energy Transition Projects

Advait Energy Transitions Limited (AETL) and Manipal Energy Infratech Limited (MEIL), a company of The Manipal Group, have entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on power and energy transition opportunities across India and international markets.The partnership aims to combine AETL’s expertise in innovative energy technologies and manufacturing with MEIL’s EPC execution capabilities and project management experience. The collaboration will focus on opportunities across Power Transmission & Distribution, Renewable Energy, Battery Energy Storage Systems..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement