Centre clears 2,223cr Gondia, Dongargarh rail line linking Chhattisgarh & Maharashtra

Raipur: The Centre has approved the construction of a fourth rail line on the Gondia–Dongargarh section of the South East Central Railway (SECR), covering 84 km at an estimated cost of Rs 2,223 crore. A major portion of the project passes through Rajnandgaon district in Chhattisgarh, an aspirational district, and is expected to significantly improve rail connectivity and tourism in the region. The new line, part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, will enhance passenger and freight movement, boost regional development, and create employment opportunities. It is among four multi-tracking projects approved nationwide on Tuesday, adding nearly 894 km to the Indian Railways network.

The section lies on a vital passenger and freight corridor connecting eastern, central, and western India, SECR officials said. It runs through Rajnandgaon district in Chhattisgarh—an aspirational district—and Gondia district in Maharashtra. According to SECR, the new line will also improve connectivity to prominent tourist destinations such as Hazara Falls, Navegaon National Park, Bambleshwari Temple, and the Dongargarh Dhara Reserve Forest, giving a fresh boost to tourism in the region.

The multi-tracking project will enhance line capacity, mobility, and operational efficiency, ensuring seamless train movement. It has been formulated under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which focuses on strengthening multi-modal connectivity and logistics integration.

Officials said the initiative will support regional development, promote environmental sustainability and energy efficiency, and create employment and self-employment opportunities.

On Tuesday, the Central government approved four multi-tracking projects across Indian Railways with a combined estimated cost of Rs 24,634 crore, adding around 894 kilometres to the national railway network.