India
New Railway Link Connects Rowghat to Dallirajhara, Boosting Mobility in Bastar
A 95‑km railway line from Rowghat to Dallirajhara in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region began operation on 20 October 2026, after construction started in 2015. The line, which includes 26 stations between Raipur and Rowghat, is part of the 140‑km Rowghat‑Jagdalpur project and serves more than 150 villages and over 100,000 people, most of whom are tribal. The project cost ₹1,628 crore. The inaugural service was attended by state chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
The train departs Rowghat early each morning, carrying about 30 passengers and picking up more at Tadoki, Antagarh, Bhanupratappur and Kewti before reaching Dallirajhara, roughly 100 km away. Passengers report that the journey now takes a few hours instead of a full day to reach Raipur, and that the fare of ₹55 for the 219‑km trip to Raipur is affordable. The line has improved access to education, healthcare and markets; for example, farmer Kaushal Baghel says he can now reach a Raipur hospital for a knee consultation in a few hours instead of an 8‑10‑hour bus ride.
Rowghat station, once a Maoist stronghold, now has two platforms protected by security camps. Since January 2024, security forces have killed 493 Maoists and 2,793 cadres have surrendered. The region’s last major Maoist attack occurred in 2025. The railway is seen as a catalyst for peace and development; Kanker collector Kundan Kumar said the link will bring markets and services to communities that have long been marginalised.
Between 21 and 23 October, 2,288 passengers travelled in both directions, with daily occupancy exceeding 700. Any increase in service frequency will depend on demand, said Dyanand, divisional railway manager of South East Central Railway. The Dallirajhara and Bhanupratappur stations are part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, with Bhanupratappur station renovated in May 2025 and Dallirajhara nearing completion.
The new line is expected to transform travel for residents of the Bastar region, offering faster, cheaper, and safer connectivity to Raipur and other towns, and supporting the supply of iron ore to the Bhilai Steel Plant.
Frequently asked questions
What is the length of the new railway line?
The line is 95 km long.
How many passengers used the service between 21 and 23 October?
2,288 passengers travelled in both directions during that period.
When did the railway line begin operation?
The line began operation on 20 October 2026.