Madhya Pradesh’s Virateshwar Temple, Amarkantak Temple, Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve are Linked to Multitracking Projects
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav is the state’s first CM to appoint a railway expert officer to his team.
SARMAN NAGELE
Madhya Pradesh’s Virateshwar Temple, Amarkantak Temple, Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve have been included in major railway multitracking projects. This will streamline operations and ease congestion. These projects reflect Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a New India and stem from enhanced coordination between the Central Government and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav regarding railway infrastructure. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav is the state’s first CM to appoint a railway expert officer to his team. Furthermore, former Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh and current NITI Aayog CEO Anurag Jain has shown keen interest in accelerating railway projects under the PM Gati Shakti program. The overarching goal is to make the local population self-reliant through comprehensive regional development, thereby generating employment and self-employment opportunities.
Three multitracking projects covering 14 districts across Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh will add approximately 656 kilometers to the existing Indian Railways network. The total estimated cost of these projects is ₹10,783 crore, with completion targeted for 2029 – 30.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved these three Ministry of Railways projects costing Rs 10,783 crore. The approved routes include:
Kharagpur–Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) 4th Line
Katni–Pendra Road 4th Line
Bilaspur (Uslapur) – Pendra Road 3rd Line
The enhanced line capacity will significantly improve mobility, boosting operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. By streamlining operations and reducing congestion, these proposals align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s New India vision to empower local communities through regional growth.
Developed under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, these projects aim to enhance multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations, ensuring the seamless movement of people, goods, and services.
Spanning 14 districts in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, the initiative will expand the Indian Railways network by nearly 656 kilometers and provide improved connectivity to approximately 4,790 villages with a combined population of around 5.6 million (56 lakh).
The capacity expansion will enhance rail access to major tourist and cultural destinations across the region, including the Tara Tarini Temple, Shri Khetra Jagannath Temple (and the ancient Jwaleshwar Dham near Jharsuguda), Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Virateshwar Temple, Amarkantak Temple, Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, Khutaghat Dam, Malhar Archaeological Site, and Ratanpur Mahamaya Temple.
Additionally, these rail corridors serve as vital routes for transporting key commodities such as coal, cement, iron, and steel. The increased capacity will generate an additional freight capacity of 27 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). As an eco-friendly and energy-efficient mode of transport, railways will help lower logistics costs and support national climate goals by reducing oil imports by approximately 120 million liters and cutting CO₂ emissions by around 620 million kilograms – the environmental equivalent of planting 24.8 million (2.48 crore) trees.
