Taking a significant step towards strengthening rail infrastructure in Madhya Pradesh, the Railway Board has approved an important new rail line project under West Central Railway (WCR) zone. The proposed chord rail line is 5.31 km long between Karhi and Sagma, this new rail line project has been approved at a cost of Rs 165.20 crore. This is an important step in the development of railway projects aimed at increasing connectivity in the state.
The chord rail line between Karhi and Sagma (5.31 km) proposed under the umbrella work is important for rail connectivity as it aims to increase the capacity of the lines, flyovers and bypass lines. Karhi station is a new station on the new line under construction Satna-Panna-Khajuraho, and Sagma station is located on the Satna-Manikpur-Prayagraj double line route.
At present, the line capacity utilisation of the Satna-Manikpur section is 120%, which is estimated to increase to 143% by the year 2027. Under the Lalitpur-Singrauli New Rail Project, work on the new line between Rewa-Singrauli is also in progress. The proposed bi-directional chord line between Karhi and Sagma will connect the Lalitpur-Singrauli new line to the existing Itarsi-Manikpur line. This will facilitate trains going from Manikpur-Panna and vice versa to run directly without going to Satna Junction station and thus there will be no need to change the engine at Satna, thereby saving time.
This rail link will promote regional trade, mobility and access to resources. The construction of the Karhi to Sagma chord rail line will strengthen the tourist connectivity of important states of Madhya Pradesh, Satna, Panna and Khajuraho. Satna and Panna are industrial cities, which have abundant cement and mineral industries, connecting many parts of Madhya Pradesh. The line is expected to help in freight movement, industrial development, tourism and improved passenger connectivity in the region.
