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New Rail Line in Jashpur

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New Rail Line in Jashpur

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 1555

ANSWERED ON: 27.11.2025

New Railway Line in Jashpur

Gomati Sai

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether any survey has been conducted to start rail services in Jashpur district;
(b) if so, the places between which the said survey has been conducted;
(c) whether the said railway line has been included in the Budget and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the said railway line project is not likely to be started; and
(e) if so, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER – MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (e) Yes, Sir. Survey for new railway line from Lohardaga to Korba via Gumla was completed in 2025-11. The project was found financially unviable and could not be taken forward. However fresh survey from Lohardaga to Korba has been sanctioned. Survey has been taken up and further consideration of this proposal is possible once survey report becomes available and results thereon are firmed up.

Another survey for new railway line from Ambikapur to Jharsuguda via Sitapur, Batauli, Pathalgaon and Korba was carried out. The project was not found financially viable and could not be taken forward.

Here’s the latest on the proposed railway line involving Jashpur Nagar (Chhattisgarh), aimed at connecting it with the Indian Rail network:

🚧 Project Overview: Dharamjaigarh – Patthalgaon – Lohardaga (via Pathalgaon & Jashpur)

  • The proposed route involves the Dharamjaigarh – Patthalgaon – Pathalgaon – Jashpur – Gumla – Lohardaga corridor, spanning approximately 240 km.
  • Project sanctioned in early 2024 as part of Chhattisgarh–Jharkhand rail expansion efforts. Its cost estimate stands at roughly ₹16,000 crore.

📋 Current Status (as of mid-2025)

✅ Final Drone Survey Approved

  • In July 2025, the Railway Ministry issued a ₹8 crore tender approval for a final drone-based survey of the route, indicating renewed project momentum.

🛑 Construction Pending – Community Opposition

  • Despite survey activities, no construction or land acquisition has commenced. Local villagers in areas like Jashpur have actively blocked survey teams, demanding fair compensation and clarity on their status as 5th Schedule landholders.

🧭 Political & Development Advocacy

  • Raigarh MP Radheshyam Rathiya and Chhattisgarh CM Viswadeo Sai have formally requested Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to prioritize this line due to its potential to connect Pathalgaon, Jashpur Nagar, Gumla, and head toward Jharkhand.
  • Nation-wide interest sparked: over 300 schoolchildren in Jashpur sent postcards to PM Modi urging for project progress.

🧾 Summary Table

Category Details
Route Length Approx. 240 km
Sanctioned Yes (Dharamjaigarh → Lohardaga corridor)
Survey Status Final drone survey completed; tender processed
Land Acquisition None initiated
Construction Status Yet to start
Local Opposition Yes — communities blocking survey work
Strategic Impact Connects Jashpur & Pathalgaon to Jharkhand; supports tribal and economic upliftment

🔭 What Lies Ahead

  1. Resolution of Land Issues: Local consent and proper compensation are vital to restart the survey-to-construction process.
  2. Tendering and Contract Award: Pending finalization of DPR, land acquisition, and feasibility clearances.
  3. Development Momentum: With high-level political backing and budgetary sanctions in place, phased construction could begin once social consent is secured.

💬 Community Sentiment

“After three surveys in 1970, 1980, and during UPA era, project never progressed beyond study… Now the final drone survey is approved but local resistance is blocking it.”

✅ Final Takeaway

  • The Dharamjaigarh–Lohardaga rail corridor, which includes Jashpur as a pivotal node, is surveyed and politically approved but not yet operational due to land challenges and stalled implementation.
  • Success depends on community resolution, DRP approval, and timely administrative action.
  • Given its role in linking remote tribal areas to national corridors, it remains a high-impact development pending next steps.

Would you like help with:

  • Mapping the proposed route via GIS or alignment diagrams?
  • Tracking the DPR or tender timeline for this project?
  • Locating parliamentary questions or official documents mentioning this line?

I’m happy to assist further!

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