PM Modi Inaugurates Complete Electrification of Railways in Chhattisgarh

Bilaspur, March 30 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the complete electrification of the Indian Railways network in Chhattisgarh on Sunday by pressing a remote button in Mohbhatta village of Bilaspur district. He also launched several other significant projects across key sectors.

Focusing on enhancing connectivity, the Prime Minister laid the foundation for seven railway projects spanning a total of 108 km and dedicated three projects to the nation, covering an additional 111 km, with a combined value exceeding Rs 2,690 crore.

Additionally, he flagged off the MEMU train service in the Abhanpur-Raipur section via Mandir Hasaud using remote control.

These initiatives aim to alleviate congestion, boost connectivity, and foster social and economic development in the region.

The official launch of these railway projects is part of a broader strategy to achieve Net Zero Carbon Emission by 2030, with Chhattisgarh now achieving full electrification of its Broad Gauge (BG) railways, marking a notable achievement.

Indian Railways has laid out an ambitious plan for reaching Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2030, with the electrification of all Broad Gauge (BG) networks as a central component.

During the event, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the extensive benefits of this initiative, noting that projects worth Rs 40,000 crore are currently in progress in Chhattisgarh.

He also pointed out that Rs 7,000 crore has been allocated in this year’s budget to enhance the state’s railway connectivity.

Faster train speeds and reduced travel times between stations were highlighted as immediate advantages.

Recently, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh also achieved full electrification of their BG networks, with Uttarakhand’s 347-kilometer route expected to significantly lower transportation costs.

Currently, seven railway zones, including ECoR, North Central Railway (NCR), and Central Railway (CR), have reached the milestone of 100 percent electrification.

Moreover, the electrification of 1,170 kilometers of BG routes in Chhattisgarh will enhance train capacity, reduce reliance on imported crude oil, save foreign exchange, and decrease operational and maintenance costs for electric locomotives.

Chhattisgarh is a crucial area for railway operations in India. The state, under the jurisdictions of South East Central Railway (SECR) and East Coast Railway (ECoR), boasts the highest freight loading in the country, making it essential for railway revenue.

Key railway stations include Bilaspur, Raipur, Durg, Bhilai, and Korba. Notably, Bilaspur—located on the Mumbai-Howrah main line—is the largest railway hub in the state, connecting major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore.

A variety of trains, including the Durg-Jagdalpur Express, Chhattisgarh Express, and Kalinga Utkal Express, provide efficient connectivity both within and outside the state.