Another revolutionary step in the development of Bastar
Dallirajhara-Rawghat rail project to be completed by December
97 percent of the rail project completed
Most of the work on the 77.5 km long Taroki-Rawghat section completed
Raipur, August 13, 2025/ The work on the Dallirajhara-Rawghat rail project, which aims to provide strong connectivity to the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh through railways, is progressing rapidly. The length of the Taroki to Rawghat section of this 95-kilometer long project is 77.5 kilometers, in which the work of utility shifting has been completed 100 percent. Along with big and small bridges, the work of laying tracks is now in the final stage, which has led to solid progress towards the completion of this ambitious project by December 2025.
With the completion of this rail project, the Bastar region will be connected to the state capital directly by railways for the first time. This will increase the facilities for passengers traveling to and from Bastar and give a new impetus to mineral transportation. This connectivity will bring a major change in the social and economic landscape of Bastar and will help in raising the standard of living of the local people.
This railway line will provide direct connectivity between the Rawghat iron ore mines and the SAIL/Bhilai Steel Plant. Currently, the availability of iron ore from the mines of Dallirajhara is decreasing, in such a situation this project will not only fulfill the industrial needs but will also prove to be the backbone of the economic development of the region. According to Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, 17.5 kilometers of land acquisition work has been completed. Most of the 21.94 lakh cubic meters of soil work has been completed. Two out of three major bridges have been prepared, while 55 out of 61 minor bridges have been completed. Ballast procurement and building construction work is also expected to be completed by August–September 2025.
It is noteworthy that this 95-kilometer long railway line includes the construction of 16 major bridges, 19 road over bridges, 45 road under bridges and 176 minor bridges. Only in the 17.5-kilometer long Taroki-Rawghat section, 3 major bridges, 5 road over bridges, 7 road under bridges and 49 minor bridges are being constructed. Special attention is being paid to technical accuracy and safety standards in all these works, so that this project remains sustainable and safe for a long time.
Construction work has been a major challenge in this area affected by Left Wing Extremism. In 12 attacks by Naxalites to disrupt the project, 4 laborers have died and 2 security personnel have been martyred so far. Apart from this, incidents of arson have also occurred in the equipment and machines used in the construction work. Despite this, significant progress has been made in the project after receiving the SSB security cover. After the completion of the project, there will be an unprecedented increase in mineral transportation, employment, local trade and passenger facilities in the Bastar region. This railway line will not only give a new direction to mineral transportation but will also connect the entire region to the mainstream. This will increase investment opportunities and expand the infrastructure in the region.
It is expected that train operations will start on the Taroki-Rawghat section by November 2025. With the completion of this project, the Bastar region will move forward on a new journey of development, where trains running on the railway tracks will not only carry minerals and goods, but will also bring the message of employment, opportunity and development.