by Jagdalpur/ The residents of Bastar have once again been left disappointed as the 2024 budget failed to deliver the long-awaited railway extension. With high hopes, the people of Bastar had been eagerly awaiting the budget, expecting progress on the railway front. However, their hopes were dashed when the budget was unveiled, revealing no significant developments for the region.
Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai and Bastar MP Mahesh Kashyap had both made strong appeals for the extension of the railway line. Their persistent efforts, including multiple meetings with Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnav, seemed promising. Yet, despite these efforts, the demands have gone unmet, leaving the people of Bastar feeling neglected by the railway administration.
The absence of a passport service center in the budget was another blow to Bastar’s expectations. The people had hoped for at least this small consolation, but it too was absent from the budget announcement.
Although the budget has consistently allocated funds for the Raoghat railway line over the past few years, progress remains limited to the section from Delhi Rajhara to Raoghat. There has been no visible work on the extension from Raoghat to Jagdalpur, raising questions about the allocation and utilization of funds. The people of Bastar are left wondering if the budget is solely for the Delhi Rajhara to Raoghat section and what will become of the extension to Jagdalpur.
Despite assurances and tweets from the Railway Minister about the extension, there has been no tangible progress. The construction of the Delhi Rajhara Raoghat railway line is reportedly prioritized for iron ore transportation, with no immediate plans for transportation from Bailadila. This further fuels concerns that the government is not serious about addressing Bastar’s railway needs.
Additionally, the demand by MP Mahesh Kashyap for extending the railway to Gadchiroli via Geedam Bijapur remains just that—a demand. While the video of the MP’s plea gained attention, there has been no viral response from the Railway Minister, leaving the people of Bastar in a state of uncertainty and frustration.
As Bastar continues to look towards the future with hopes for better infrastructure and connectivity, the current state of affairs leaves much to be desired. The people and their representatives must continue to push for the region’s development, holding the government accountable and ensuring that Bastar does not remain overlooked in future budgets.
