Fourth Railway Line Approved Between Baikunth and Urkura at ₹426 Crore

Indian Railways has approved the construction of a fourth railway line between Baikunth and Urkura in Chhattisgarh, covering 26.40 km at a cost of ₹426.01 crore. This project, under the South East Central Railway, will ease congestion on the busy Bilaspur–Raipur–Nagpur main line, part of the high-density Mumbai–Howrah corridor.

Project Details
- Length: 26.40 km
- Cost: ₹426.01 crore
- Railway Zone: South East Central Railway (SECR)
- Location: Baikunth–Urkura section, Chhattisgarh
- Corridor: Bilaspur–Raipur–Nagpur main line, part of the Mumbai–Howrah high-density route

Why This Line Matters
- Congestion Relief: The section is currently operating at saturated capacity. The fourth line will ease congestion and improve punctuality.
- Passenger Benefits: More room for additional passenger and coaching services, reducing delays.
- Freight Capacity: Expected to handle 14.25 million tonnes of additional cargo annually, generating about ₹61.70 crore in extra revenue per year.
- Strategic Importance: Strengthens one of India’s busiest and most critical freight and passenger corridors.

Expected Impact
- Passenger Services: Improved punctuality and reduced travel time on the Bilaspur–Raipur–Nagpur stretch.
- Freight Operations: Enhanced efficiency for coal, steel, and industrial goods transport from Chhattisgarh’s industrial belt.
- Regional Development: Supports rapid industrial growth in Raipur and Bilaspur by improving logistics.

Outlook
- The project is part of Indian Railways’ broader strategy to expand capacity on high-density routes.
- Once completed, it will significantly boost both passenger convenience and freight revenue, reinforcing the Mumbai–Howrah corridor’s role as a backbone of India’s rail network.