The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation several rail sector projects worth around Rs 6,350 crore in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh today. He also laid the foundation stone of 50 bedded ‘critical care blocks’ in 9 districts of Chattisgarh and distributed 1 lakh sickle cell counseling cards to the screened population. The railway projects include Chhattisgarh East Rail Project Phase-I, 3rd rail line between Champa to Jamga, 3rd rail line between Pendra Road to Anuppur and MGR (Merry-Go-Round) system connecting Talaipalli Coal Mine to NTPC Lara Super Thermal Power Station (STPS).

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister remarked that Chhattisgarh is taking a significant step towards development as Railway projects worth more than Rs 6,400 crores are being unveiled in the state. He underlined that various new projects are being initiated today to expand the energy-producing capacity and improve the healthcare sector of the state. He also mentioned the distribution of Sickle Cell Counseling Cards on the occasion.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the entire world is not only witnessing but also heaping praise on the fast pace of modern development and the Indian model of social welfare. The Prime Minister recalled hosting the world leaders during the G20 Summit in New Delhi and mentioned that they were highly impressed by India’s model of development and social welfare. He said that global organizations are talking about learning from India’s successes. The Prime Minister credited the equal priority of the government towards the development of every state and every area of the country for this feat. “This region of Chhattisgarh and Raigarh is also a witness to this”, the Prime Minister said as he congratulated the citizens for today’s projects.

“Chhattisgarh is a powerhouse of development of the country”, the Prime Minister remarked as he noted that a country will move forward only if its powerhouses are working at full strength. In the last 9 years, the Prime Minister said that the Central Government has continuously worked for the multifaceted development of Chhattisgarh and the results of that vision and those policies can be witnessed here today. He said that huge schemes are being implemented in Chhattisgarh in every field by the Central Government and the foundation stones of new projects are being laid. The Prime Minister recalled visiting Raipur in July to lay the foundation stone of Visakhapatnam to Raipur Economic Corridor and Raipur to Dhanbad Economic Corridor development projects. He also mentioned the various important national highways presented to the state. “Today, a new chapter is being written in the development of Chhattisgarh's railway network”, the Prime Minister remarked as he mentioned that the improved rail network will reduce the congestion in Jharsuguda Bilaspur section of the Bilaspur-Mumbai rail line. Similarly, the other railway lines that are being started and the rail corridors that are being built will give new heights to the industrial development of Chhattisgarh, he said. He said that upon completion, these routes will not only provide convenience to the people of Chhattisgarh but will also create new employment and income opportunities in the region.

The Prime Minister highlighted that the cost and time of transporting coal from coalfields to power plants will be reduced. To generate maximum electricity at low cost, the Prime Minister informed that the government is also building Pit Head Thermal Power Plant. He also touched upon the inauguration of the 65 km Merry-Go-Round project to connect the Talaipalli Mine and said that the number of such projects will only increase in the country and states like Chhattisgarh will benefit the most in the times to come.

Speaking about the resolve to transform India into a developed country in the next 25 years of Amrit Kaal, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for equal participation from every citizen towards development. He highlighted meeting the energy needs of the country while protecting the environment at the same time and mentioned the closed coal mine in Surajpur district which has been developed as part of Eco-Tourism. He mentioned that work is underway to develop  a similar eco-park in Korwa as well. Speaking about the benefits for the tribal section of this area, the Prime Minister highlighted the irrigation and drinking water facilities being provided to thousands of people with the water released from the mines. 

The Prime Minister underlined that it is the Government’s resolve to protect the forests and land while also opening new avenues of prosperity through forest wealth. Referring to the Vandhan Vikas Yojana, Shri Modi emphasized that lakhs of tribal youth are benefiting from the scheme. He also touched upon the world celebrating Millet Year and highlighted the growing potential of Shree Anna or millets market in the coming years. He said that on the one hand, the tribal tradition of the country is getting a new identity while on the other hand, new paths of progress are also shaping up.

Speaking about the impact of sickle cell anemia on the tribal population, the Prime Minister underlined that the distribution of sickle cell counseling cards is a huge step for the tribal society as spreading information can help in controlling the disease. Concluding the address, the Prime Minister stressed the need to move forward with the resolve of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ and expressed confidence that Chhattisgarh will reach new heights of development.

Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Smt Renuka Singh Saruta and Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Shri T S Singhdeo were present on the occasion among others. 

Background

The Prime Minister’s emphasis on improving connectivity across the country will get a boost with the dedication to the nation of important rail sector projects worth around Rs 6,350 crores in the public programme in Raigarh. The projects include Chhattisgarh East Rail Project Phase-I, 3rd rail line between Champa to Jamga, 3rd rail line between Pendra Road to Anuppur and MGR (Merry-Go-Round) system connecting Talaipalli Coal Mine to NTPC Lara Super Thermal Power Station (STPS). The rail projects will provide impetus to socioeconomic development by facilitating the movement of passengers as well as freight traffic in the region.

Chhattisgarh East Rail Project Phase-I is being developed under the ambitious PM GatiShakti - National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity and consists of a 124.8 km rail line from Kharsia to Dharamjaygarh including a spur line to Gare-Pelma and 3 feeder lines connecting Chhal, Baroud, Durgapur and other coal mines. The rail line, built at a cost of around Rs. 3,055 crore is equipped with electrified broad gauge level crossings and free part double line with passenger amenities. It will provide rail connectivity for coal transportation from Mand-Raigarh coalfields located in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh.

The third rail line between Pendra Road to Anuppur is 50 km long and is built at a cost of about Rs 516 crore. The 98-kilometer-long third line between Champa and Jamga rail section is built at a cost of about 796 crores. The new rail lines will improve connectivity in the region and lead to an increase in both tourism and employment opportunities.

The 65-km-long electrified MGR (Merry-Go-Round) System will deliver low-cost, high-grade coal from NTPC’s Talaipalli coal mine to 1600 MW NTPC Lara Super Thermal Power Station in Chhattisgarh. This will boost the generation of low-cost and reliable power from NTPC Lara, thus strengthening the energy security of the country.  The MGR system, built at a cost of more than Rs 2070 crore, is a technological marvel for improving coal transportation from coal mines to power stations.

During the programme, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of 50 bedded ‘critical care blocks’ in 9 districts of Chattisgarh. The nine Critical Care Blocks will be built under Pradhan Mantri – Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) at Durg, Kondagaon, Rajnandgaon, Gariaband, Jashpur, Surajpur, Surguja, Bastar & Raigarh Districts, at a total cost of more than Rs 210 crores.

With an aim to address the health issues caused by sickle cell disease, especially among the tribal population, the Prime Minister distributed one lakh sickle cell counseling cards to the screened population. The distribution of sickle cell counseling cards is being done under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (NSAEM), which was launched by the Prime Minister in July 2023 at Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh.

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