Union Ministers Review Smart Cities Mission Progress; Mark Milestone as Mission Nears Successful Completion
New Delhi । In a significant move towards strengthening clean and future-ready infrastructure in Chhattisgarh, Union Railway Minister, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Tokhan Sahu jointly announced the ₹8,741 crore railway project for the construction of the 5th and 6th railway lines between Kharsia–Naya Raipur–Parmalkasa. The announcement was made at a press conference held today at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi.
The Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai Ji, along with all Members of Parliament from Chhattisgarh, also participated in the event via video conference, showcasing the unified commitment toward infrastructure development in the state.
The total estimated cost of the project is ₹8,741 crore. It will cover a route length of 278 kilometers and a track length of 615 kilometers. The project includes the development of 21 stations, construction of 48 major bridges and 349 minor bridges, along with 14 Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and 184 Road Under Bridges (RUBs). Additionally, 5 rail flyovers will be constructed to further streamline traffic movement.
The new line will serve as a critical arterial route between Kolkata and Mumbai, currently one of the most congested railway corridors in the country. Once operational, the line will allow goods trains to bypass Bilaspur and Raipur, resulting in faster cargo movement along the Howrah–Mumbai route.
Economic and Environmental Impact:
Cargo Capacity: 21–38 million tons annually
Passenger Traffic: 8 Mail/Express/Semi-high-speed trains
CO₂ Savings: 113 crore kg per year — equivalent to planting 4.5 crore trees
Diesel Savings: 22 crore litres annually
Logistics Cost Reduction: ₹2,520 crore annually compared to road transport
This project is poised to significantly enhance logistics efficiency, reduce emissions, and stimulate economic activities across Chhattisgarh. The districts set to benefit include Raigarh, Janjgir-Champa, Sakti, Bilaspur, Baloda Bazar, Raipur, Durg, and Rajnandgaon.
Emphasizing the Modi Government’s strong commitment to sustainable infrastructure aligned with the Prime Minister’s Net Zero vision and the goal of Viksit Bharat, Shri Sahu stated, “This is more than just a railway project; it is a major step toward clean, future-ready infrastructure that will create new economic opportunities for Chhattisgarh and enhance the quality of life for its people.”
Progress of Smart Cities Mission & Focus on Future of SPVs
Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Manohar Lal, along with Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Tokhan Sahu, today chaired a high-level review meeting on the Smart Cities Mission and the evolving role of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) in India’s urban development. The meeting, held in New Delhi and attended virtually by Principal Secretaries of all States, CEOs of Smart Cities across the country, comes at a historic juncture — marking the successful completion of the Smart Cities Mission on March 31, 2025.
During his address, Shri Tokhan Sahu remarked “Today we have gathered in this virtual meeting at a historic milestone , the successful completion of our Smart Cities Mission. What began as a dream in 2015 has today become a nationwide movement that is redefining India’s urban landscape.”
He highlighted the mission’s unprecedented achievements, stating:
7,545 projects completed across 100 Smart Cities, at a cost of ₹1.51 lakh crore
96% utilisation of total allocated funds, reflecting fiscal discipline and effective execution 99% of central grants released, with 88 cities receiving 100% funding
Transformative impact in areas such as smart governance, mobility, WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene), and sustainable public spaces
Acknowledging the accomplishments, the Union Ministers outlined the mission’s next steps, emphasizing that the momentum must continue beyond the formal conclusion of the mission. They called for the timely completion of the remaining 522 projects, which constitute the final 7% of the total scope. Equally important, they stressed the need to ensure sustainable operations and maintenance (O&M) of the assets created, and to transform Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs) into enduring platforms for urban governance.
“Smart Cities Mission was never just about infrastructure. It was about redefining urban spaces, empowering urban governance, and most importantly, improving lives.The mission may have formally concluded, but our commitment to building better, more prosperous cities is stronger than ever.”, said Shri Sahu . He further underlined the importance of developing innovative, sustainable financing models and achieving financial closure, while positioning SPVs as long-term institutional anchors for driving urban transformation in the years to come.
