Bastar: A proposal is being considered to connect Bijapur and Dantewada, the Naxal-affected areas of Bastar, by rail line. Chhattisgarh It was told that in the first phase, there is a proposal for Geedam-Bijapur-Bhopalpatnam rail line. Then the rail line can be extended to connect Bhopalpatnam to Manchiral station near Hyderabad. More than 4750 crores are estimated to be spent on this 236 km project to be completed in two phases. The state government will soon send the proposal to the Union Railway Ministry for approval.
It was told that the proposed rail project will benefit not only Chhattisgarh but also Maharashtra and Telangana. This rail project will increase traffic in Bastar. The special thing is that the Naxal-affected areas will also be connected by rail line.
According to sources, Bijapur Collector Anurag Pandey has also given a presentation regarding the proposed rail project. The first phase of the rail project will be of 126 km. This project is proposed to be laid from Geedam in Dantewada to Samlur, Nalasnar, Bhairamgarh, Jangla, Jivaram, Naimed, Bijapur, Maded and Bhopalpatnam. Then it can be further extended and connected to Warangal and Mancherial railway line of Telangana. The estimated expenditure on the first phase is 2520 crores and on the second phase project is 2218 crores. With the completion of this project, NMDC, CMDC and Nagarnar Steel Plant will also have ease in freight transportation.
