# Chhattisgarh's Rail Network Grew Nearly 17 Times Faster Post-2014, Roads and Villages Also Gained Ground > Chhattisgarh has seen new rail line construction speed up nearly 17-fold since 2014, alongside thousands of kilometres of new highways, rural roads and a fresh push to connect villages through the BharatNet internet programme. **Type:** article · **Category:** Chhattisgarh · **Published:** 2026-09-07 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/chhattisgarh/rela-lainon-ke-vistara-men-17-guna-uchhala-chhattisgarh-men-saraka-aura-ganva-kanektiviti-bhi-majabuta-28949 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Chhattisgarh, Rail Line Expansion, Bharatmala Pariyojana, PMGSY, BharatNet, National Highways Chhattisgarh's transport and digital links have expanded sharply since 2014, with roads, railway tracks and rural connectivity all showing a steep jump compared with the years before. Government data tracking road, rail, village-road and internet infrastructure across the state points to a much faster pace of construction and investment over the past decade. Between April 2014 and now, more than 3,389 kilometres of national highways have been built in the state. Under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, 471 kilometres of national highway projects have been awarded in Chhattisgarh, of which 291 kilometres of construction has already been completed. These highway projects form part of the effort to widen and strengthen major road corridors passing through the state. ## New rail line construction has sped up nearly 17 times The sharpest change shows up in the railway numbers. Between 2009 and 2014, Chhattisgarh commissioned an average of only about 6.4 kilometres of new rail line every year. From 2014 to 2026, that yearly average jumped to more than 109 kilometres, a rise of nearly 17 times. The gap between the two periods highlights how railway construction activity in the state picked up pace after 2014. Over the same 2014 to 2026 period, the state has commissioned a total of 1,311 kilometres of new rail line. Annual railway budget allocation for the state has grown in step. It averaged around Rs 311 crore a year between 2009 and 2014, and has climbed to roughly Rs 7,470 crore for 2026-27. Electrification of the state's entire broad gauge rail network was also completed in March 2023. The completed electrification means trains on these routes no longer depend on diesel locomotives for power. ## Rural roads have reached thousands of settlements Beyond highways and rail, rural roads have also expanded significantly. Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Chhattisgarh has completed 44,828 kilometres of rural roads, giving 10,691 settlements road connectivity. These village roads are aimed at giving remote habitations reliable, all-weather access to nearby towns and markets. ## Villages are now being linked to a digital highway too Connectivity in the state is no longer just about roads and tracks. The BharatNet programme is extending internet access to villages as well. As of the latest update from August 2026, 11,682 gram panchayats in Chhattisgarh are planned to be covered under the Amended BharatNet scheme, while 8,328 villages have provision for on-demand connectivity. The on-demand provision is meant to ensure that even villages outside the core BharatNet rollout can still request a connection later. Taken together, the shift over the past decade in Chhattisgarh is not just about kilometres added. It reflects an easier, faster path from villages to towns, from towns to the state capital, and from the state to the country's major economic centres. ## What this means for you The growth in road, rail and internet connectivity in Chhattisgarh will directly affect how easily families there travel and do business. - **Across India:** Faster highway and rail expansion cuts freight and passenger travel time, making it easier to move coal, steel and farm produce from Chhattisgarh to other states. - **In Chhattisgarh:** With 1,311 kilometres of new rail line and 3,389 kilometres of new national highways, travel time from remote towns to bigger cities like Raipur should fall, benefiting local traders and daily commuters directly. - **For rural families:** 44,828 kilometres of paved rural roads mean 10,691 settlements can now reach hospitals, schools and markets more reliably, including during the monsoon when routes used to get cut off. - **Internet access:** The plan to cover 11,682 gram panchayats under BharatNet means students and small businesses in these areas can more easily use online classes, banking and digital payments. - **Travel reliability:** Full electrification of the broad gauge network should improve train speeds and punctuality, meaning fewer delays for passengers. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. How much new rail line has Chhattisgarh commissioned between 2014 and 2026? A total of 1,311 kilometres of new rail line was commissioned during this period. ### 2. How much has the annual pace of new rail line construction increased? It rose from an average of 6.4 kilometres a year in 2009-14 to more than 109 kilometres a year in 2014-2026, a jump of nearly 17 times. ### 3. How many kilometres of highway has Chhattisgarh received under the Bharatmala Pariyojana? 471 kilometres of highway projects have been awarded, of which 291 kilometres has already been completed. ### 4. How many rural roads have been built under PMGSY in Chhattisgarh, and how many settlements benefited? 44,828 kilometres of rural roads have been completed, connecting 10,691 settlements. ### 5. How many gram panchayats in Chhattisgarh will be covered under BharatNet? As of the August 2026 update, 11,682 gram panchayats are planned to be covered under the Amended BharatNet scheme, with on-demand connectivity provision for 8,328 villages. ### 6. When was the electrification of Chhattisgarh's broad gauge rail network completed? The entire broad gauge rail network in Chhattisgarh was fully electrified by March 2023. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._