New railway line connects isolated Abujhmad region in Chhattisgarh

The Indian government opened a new railway line connecting Rowghat to Dallirajhara in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh to improve access for remote communities.

This 95km stretch includes 26 operational stations and serves more than 100,000 people, primarily from tribal communities. The project, which cost 1,628 crore rupees, began in 2015 and reached completion in 2026. The railway provides a faster and more affordable alternative to previous transport methods.

Residents who previously spent 8 to 10 hours traveling by bus now reach the city of Raipur in approximately four hours. Farmers and students use the train to access medical care, markets, and education. A ticket from Rowghat to Raipur costs 55 rupees for a 219km journey. The route passes through areas formerly dominated by Maoist violence, including the Abujhmad region.

The central government stated it eliminated Maoism in Chhattisgarh by March 31, 2026, following a series of security operations and surrenders. While security personnel still travel on the trains, the railway aims to bring state services and economic progress to villages that were previously isolated by difficult terrain and conflict.