Union Minister for Railways, Electronics and IT, and Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw informed that Rs 7,470 crore has been allocated for Railway projects in Chhattisgarh in the Union Budget 2026-27 to expand State’s Railway infrastructure. Addressing a virtual press conference from New Delhi on Monday, Vaishnaw said the budget accords historic priority to railway infrastructure development in Chhattisgarh, marking a transformative phase in connectivity, passenger amenities, safety, and network expansion. The annual average budget allocation for railways in State has risen sharply from Rs 311 crore during 2009-14 to Rs 7,470 crore in 2026-27—a more than twenty-four-fold increase compared to the previous Congress Government—underscoring the Government’s commitment to infrastructure-led growth. Railway projects worth Rs 51,080 crore are currently underway in Chhattisgarh. The State’s Railway infrastructure is undergoing comprehensive transformation, including new track creation, station redevelopment, signalling upgrades, and safety enhancements.

 

These investments are strengthening regional connectivity, supporting industrial growth, mineral evacuation, and passenger mobility, he added. Vaishnaw highlighted that the Dankuni-Surat Dedicated Freight Corridor, proposed in the Union Budget 2026-27, will pass through Chhattisgarh, benefiting its people upon completion. Passenger and express train movements in the state will double after these projects are finished. Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 32 stations in Chhattisgarh have been identified for redevelopment at a total cost of Rs 1,674 crore to provide modern amenities, better accessibility, and enhanced aesthetics. Redevelopment is complete at five stations—Dongargarh (Phase I), Ambikapur, Bhanupratappur, Bhilai, and Urkura—while work on the rest is progressing rapidly.

 

 Rail connectivity has expanded with premium train services: two pairs of Vande Bharat Express and one pair of Amrit Bharat Express are now operational, improving travel efficiency and comfort. Since 2014, about 1,200 km of new railway tracks have been built in Chhattisgarh—exceeding the total rail network length of several countries. The state has achieved 100% electrification of its broad-gauge network, with 366 km electrified since 2014, boosting energy efficiency and sustainability. Safety has been enhanced with 170 railway flyovers and underpasses to eliminate level crossings. Implementation of the indigenous ‘Kavach’ automatic train protection system is advancing, covering 845 route km in works or tenders, with a total sanctioned length of 1,083 route km. The Railway Budget 2026-27 positions Chhattisgarh as a key hub in India’s railway growth story, blending large-scale investment with modern technology, better passenger facilities, and safety standards. These initiatives will generate employment, drive regional development, and strengthen the state’s role in national logistics and connectivity.