On 14 September 2023, the Prime Minister of India launched vital railway projects worth Rs 6,350 crores in Raigarh. These projects include the Chhattisgarh East Rail Project Phase-I, the construction of a third rail line between Champa and Jamga, a third rail line between Pendra Road and Anuppur, and the implementation of an MGR (Merry-Go-Round) system connecting the Talaipalli Coal Mine to the NTPC Lara Super Thermal Power Station (STPS).
The Chhattisgarh East Rail Project Phase-I, a part of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity, encompasses a 124.8 km rail line from Kharsia to Dharamjaygarh, with a spur line to Gare-Pelma and three feeder lines linking Chhal, Baroud, Durgapur, and other coal mines. This rail line, costing Rs 3,055 crore, features electrified broad gauge level crossings, a partially double line, and passenger amenities. It will facilitate coal transportation from the Mand-Raigarh coalfields in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh.
The third rail line between Pendra Road and Anuppur spans 50 km and was constructed at a cost of Rs 516 crore. The 98 km long third line connecting Champa and Jamga will be built at Rs 796 crores. These new rail lines will enhance connectivity in the region, resulting in increased tourism and job opportunities.
The 65 km long electrified MGR (Merry-Go-Round) System will transport cost-effective, high-grade coal from NTPC’s Talaipalli coal mine to the 1600 MW NTPC Lara Super Thermal Power Station in Chhattisgarh. This will bolster the production of affordable and reliable power at NTPC Lara, enhancing the country’s energy security. The MGR system, with a cost exceeding Rs 2070 crore, represents a technological advancement in coal transportation from mines to power plants.
During the same event, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for 50-bed critical care blocks in nine districts of Chattisgarh. These hospitals, funded under the Pradhan Mantri–Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), will be established in Durg, Kondagaon, Rajnandgaon, Gariaband, Jashpur, Surajpur, Surguja, Bastar, and Raigarh Districts, with a total cost exceeding Rs 210 crore.
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for development projects valued at over Rs 50,700 crores in Bina, Madhya Pradesh. A significant component of this initiative is the Petrochemical Complex at Bina Refinery, to be developed by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) at a cost of approximately Rs 49,000 crores. This state-of-the-art refinery will produce around 1200 kl. tpa of ethylene and propylene, crucial components for various industries such as textiles, packaging, and pharmaceuticals. Foundation stones were also laid to set up two IT parks in Indore, a Mega Industrial Park in Ratlam, and six new industrial areas across Madhya Pradesh.
Photo Source: BPCL and Indian Railways
