Chhattisgarh CM Hails Gondia-Dongargarh Project as ‘New Energy’ for Regional Economy, Targets Completion in Five Years
Published on: October 13, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai today lauded the Union Cabinet’s approval of a Rs 2,223 crore fourth railway line between Gondia in Maharashtra and Dongargarh in Chhattisgarh, calling it a game-changer that will inject “new energy” into Central India’s economy. The 84-km project, passing directly through Rajnandgaon district, is part of four major railway initiatives worth Rs 24,634 crore greenlit by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on October 8.
The new line is expected to enhance connectivity, reduce travel time, and boost freight movement for minerals, agriculture, and industrial goods in the mineral-rich region. “This will connect remote areas of Rajnandgaon to major markets, creating jobs and fostering growth,” CM Sai said during a district-level review meeting. Local traders and farmers in Dongargarh and Rajnandgaon expressed optimism, noting it could slash logistics costs by up to 30% for paddy and iron ore transport.
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The project, slated for completion by 2030, will include electrification and signaling upgrades, aligning with India’s broader push for dedicated freight corridors. Rajnandgaon District Collector Bhaskar Thakur confirmed land acquisition surveys have begun, with minimal displacement anticipated due to the route’s alignment along existing tracks. Environmental clearances are under fast-track review, incorporating green buffers to protect local biodiversity.
This development comes as Chhattisgarh gears up for its silver jubilee celebrations, with the railway line symbolizing the state’s integration into national infrastructure goals. Industry bodies like the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Chhattisgarh chapter have welcomed the move, projecting an additional 50,000 jobs in ancillary sectors over the next decade.
