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As the current financial year progresses, several railway projects in the Jharkhand-Chhattisgarh region remain in limbo, awaiting development. Despite the approval of significant initiatives such as the Vande Bharat project and various other development works worth crores, many essential projects are still pending.
Notably, the inauguration of the Ranchi-Muri and Bokaro-Varanasi Vande Bharat trains by the Honorable Prime Minister on 12th March underscores the ongoing efforts to bolster connectivity in the region. Just days prior, several development schemes within the Hatia Railway Division were inaugurated, signifying a growing focus on enhancing railway infrastructure in the area.
The recent budget has also allocated considerable attention to the Hatia Railway Division. However, amidst these advancements, numerous schemes aimed at fostering the development and integration of tribal communities in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh await approval.
Justification for Pending Projects
The delayed railway projects in the Jharkhand-Chhattisgarh region are not lacking in justification. The absence of railway lines in this vast geographical area has perpetuated the deprivation of development among the tribal population, keeping them isolated from the national mainstream.
Rapid completion of these projects is crucial for facilitating connectivity with the state and national capitals. Moreover, upon their completion, these projects will significantly ease travel for a substantial number of individuals serving in the army and border forces. Economically, the transportation of minerals and forest products, coupled with the region’s abundant reserves of bauxite, ceramic, and iron ore, provides compelling reasons to expedite these projects.
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Furthermore, their completion is expected to catalyze industrial development in the area and serve as a cornerstone for promoting tourism. Additionally, these railway projects hold the potential to honor the contributions of Tana Bhagat and tribal craftspeople who played significant roles in the freedom struggle.
Decades-Long Demand
The demand for these rail projects has persisted for over five decades, dating back to 1972 during the tenure of respected local leader Karthik Oraon. Despite the longstanding advocacy, successive governments have failed to take concrete actions toward connecting this economically backward plateau and tribal region with the railway network and the national mainstream.
However, there is now a pressing need for proactive initiatives to address these longstanding demands. Seasoned individuals within the Railway Division believe that the current wave of attention towards development initiatives in the region will finally unearth the dust accumulated on the files of these projects, paving the way for their long-awaited implementation.
