Major Boost for Tribal Regions: 218-km Saradega–Ambikapur Railway Line Gets Final Go-Ahead
Sundargarh, 10 December 2025 – In a significant development for Odisha and Chhattisgarh, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced in Parliament that the much-delayed Saradega–Pathalgaon–Ambikapur new railway line has received full administrative and financial approval from the Ministry of Railways.
Responding to an unstarred question raised by Sarguja (Chhattisgarh) Lok Sabha MP Chintamani Maharaj, the Minister confirmed that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) submitted by South East Central Railway’s Bilaspur Division has been cleared by the Railway Board, and funds for the project have been sanctioned.
The approved 218-km greenfield line will run in two segments:
Saradega (Hemgir block, Sundargarh district, Odisha) – Sundargarh – Pathalgaon: 128 km
Pathalgaon – Ambikapur (Surguja district, Chhattisgarh): 86 km
Once completed, the route will provide the first direct rail link between Odisha’s Sundargarh district and northern Chhattisgarh, ending decades of isolation for several tribal-dominated and backward areas.
“This is a historic moment for the people of Sundargarh and Surguja. The survey is complete, DPR is approved, and funding is in place. All hurdles have been removed,” said Dhruva Kalo, General Secretary of the Rela Bikash Sangram Samiti, who has been spearheading the campaign since the 1970s.
The project forms part of a larger ₹31,619-crore package of six new railway lines sanctioned for Chhattisgarh. Allocation for the Saradega–Ambikapur section is expected to be reflected in the upcoming Union Budget.
Towards a 366-km Mega Corridor
When combined with the already-approved 152-km Ambikapur–Renukoot line (announced in July 2024), the entire Saradega–Renukoot corridor will stretch 366 km. This will connect the coal-rich Hemgir region and tribal areas of northern Odisha and Chhattisgarh directly to the Howrah–Delhi main line via Renukoot (Uttar Pradesh) and Jharsuguda.
Currently, except for the mining-heavy Hemgir block, most of Sundargarh sub-division—including the district headquarters—remains without rail connectivity despite being just a few dozen kilometres from the Howrah–Mumbai trunk route.
Local organisations such as Rela Bikash Sangram Samiti has persistently raised the demand with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, MP Chintamani Maharaj, and others.
With yesterday’s parliamentary confirmation, residents and activists are celebrating the end of a struggle that began over five decades ago, hailing it as a game-changer for regional economy, healthcare access, education, and overall development.
