Bhopal: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated the 53-km Satna–Devendranagar and 65-km Rewa–Churhat railway sections on Saturday, marking a major expansion of rail connectivity in the Vindhya and Bundelkhand regions. A new Devendranagar–Churhat passenger train service was also flagged off.
The two sections, developed at a combined cost of approximately ₹1,943 crore, are expected to improve access to education, healthcare and employment while supporting regional trade, tourism and industrial growth.
The Rewa–Churhat section, built at a cost of around ₹1,070 crore, extends rail connectivity to Churhat in Sidhi district. The 53-km Satna–Devendranagar section was completed at a cost of approximately ₹873 crore.
Vaishnaw said the projects would help connect the mineral-rich region with major industrial and transport centres across the country. He added that railway projects worth approximately ₹1 lakh crore were underway in Madhya Pradesh, including new lines, track doubling, additional tracks and gauge conversion.
The Railway Minister said the state could see the introduction of more than 100 long-distance trains and 50–60 short-distance services, including MEMU and Intercity trains, in the coming years as infrastructure projects are completed.
Chief Minister Yadav described the new connectivity as a significant development for the Vindhya and Bundelkhand regions. He said the 541-km Lalitpur–Singrauli railway project would improve connectivity between Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh and benefit farmers, students, industries and patients.
The new links are expected to support freight movement for cement and mineral-based industries around Satna, while helping farmers and rural traders access wider markets. Improved connectivity could also encourage tourism to destinations such as Khajuraho, Panna, Rewa Fort, Mukundpur White Tiger Safari and the Chachai and Bahuti waterfalls.
The inauguration ceremonies were attended by Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, MPs and other public representatives at Churhat and Nagod railway stations.