The 276 km new railway line from Kota to Bhopal has been ready for six months, but train services have not yet commenced. Passengers, including MP Dushyant Singh, are upset. The Railways has stated that the process is ongoing.
Kota: The dream of a 276-kilometer long railway line from Ramganj Mandi in Kota, Rajasthan, to Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, has remained unfulfilled for over six months. The new railway line from Nayagaon to Khilchipur is complete, and the Commissioner of Railway Safety inspected and approved it on February 20, 2025. Despite this, trains have not yet been able to operate on this track. Passengers' long wait has now turned into frustration.
According to officials of the Kota Railway Division, 126 kilometers of the 165-kilometer track have been completed. A trial run at 130 kilometers per hour has also been successfully conducted on the 22.32-kilometer stretch from Nayagaon to Khilchipur. Despite this, no regular train service has been started for passengers on this track. Trains are running up to Ghatoli, but the journey beyond remains stalled.
MP Dushyant Singh Expresses Displeasure Over Railway Project
Dushyant Singh, MP from Baran-Jhalawar and son of former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, has expressed his displeasure over this situation. He stated that the prolonged delay in this project is causing significant inconvenience to local residents. The MP has demanded either the introduction of a new train service from Kota to Khilchipur or the extension of existing train services.
Furthermore, in a recent meeting of the Divisional Railway Users' Consultative Committee, officials were urged to focus on passenger halts and station facilities. Dheeraj Gupta Tej emphasized the need for a halt at Ametha station and the construction of a pit line in Jhalawar City. People argue that this delay by the Railways has affected a crucial opportunity for economic and social connectivity.
Railways Explains Delay in Commencing Train Service
Senior DCM Saurabh Jain of the Kota Railway Division stated that the proposal has been sent to the headquarters. He mentioned that the assessment of train links, station facilities, and traffic is ongoing. However, he did not clarify when services for passengers would commence.
Railway officials say that the project is facing delays due to technical and administrative processes. Regular train services can only begin after the proposal receives approval. Meanwhile, frustration among passengers is growing, and people are hoping for prompt action from the Railways.
Concerns of Local Passengers and Businesses
The commencement of rail services on this route will not only save time for passengers but also bring significant economic benefits to local businesses and the agricultural sector. People state that the Kota-Bhopal railway line is crucial for both trade and tourism.
Local resident Rekha Sharma says, “The considerable delay in starting the train service is causing inconvenience to all of us. This rail connectivity could have been very helpful for employment and business.”
Railway authorities can now expect increasing pressure on this issue, as the project has gained social and political attention. The question now is when the Railways will put this incomplete project on track and when the long wait of passengers will finally end.
