The Ministry of Railways has approved a significant rail expansion project in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. The sanction has been accorded to the work of ‘Rowghat-Jagdalpur New Line (140.00 km)’ at a cost of Rs 3513.11 crore.

The entire cost of the project will be funded through the Central budget. Bastar, historically disconnected from Northern and Western India, currently has limited rail access. Its sole railway line connects Dantewada to Visakhapatnam in the South, primarily serving industrial freight needs such as iron ore transport from National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) mines. This new line aims to provide Bastar direct passenger and freight connectivity with Raipur and beyond.

Land acquisition is nearing completion, with the groundwork ready for the construction phase. Once the Rowghat–Jagdalpur line becomes operational, Jagdalpur will be directly connected to Raipur, leveraging the already-laid Rowghat–Raipur railway line. The rail extension will also integrate Bastar with the broader Mumbai–Howrah rail corridor, significantly improving logistical access to major cities in the North and West.