Bhopal, July 28 (IANS) Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday inaugurated the overhauled Nishatpura railway station and formally announced new stoppages for two trains, marking another milestone in Madhya Pradesh’s rapid railway expansion.
CM Yadav flagged off the Ambedkar Nagar-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Malwa Express, one of the two trains now stopping at Nishatpura, alongside the Veraval–Jabalpur Express. He noted that these stoppages symbolise “Shiva” and “Shakti,” reflecting the spiritual significance of the upcoming Simhastha.
Addressing the ceremony, Yadav said the state is preparing for the massive influx of devotees expected during Simhastha 2028, with Indian Railways working continuously to expand facilities and ease passenger travel.
The Nishatpura station, developed for Rs 14 crore, is the fourth major station in Bhopal after Rani Kamlapati, Bhopal Main, and Sant Hirdaram. With its inauguration, trains travelling between New Delhi and the Ujjain–Indore route will no longer need to change tracks or engines, saving valuable travel time.
Highlighting the scale of preparations, the Chief Minister said nearly 40 crore devotees are expected to visit Madhya Pradesh for Simhastha 2028, making new railway infrastructure essential to manage passenger crowds.
He added that the arrival of railway lines not only facilitates travel but also boosts trade, agriculture, and freight movement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, he said, are extending full support to the state’s railway expansion.
CM Yadav lauded the transformation of Indian Railways under the Modi government, noting that the railway budget for Madhya Pradesh has risen from Rs 632 crore in 2009-2014 to Rs 15,288 crore in 2026-27, a 24-fold increase.
Currently, projects worth Rs 1.18 lakh crore are underway in the state, with 2,800 kilometres of new railway lines constructed since 2014. He pointed out that track-laying speed has increased from 4 kilometres a day to 34 kilometres a day, reflecting unprecedented progress.
Minister Vishvas Kailash Sarang praised the development as an example of “development alongside heritage,” while West Central Railway General Manager Dilip Kumar Singh highlighted ongoing projects including new Vande Bharat services, third and fourth lines on key routes, and modern safety upgrades.
A six-lane railway over-bridge near Nishatpura is also planned, connecting Dwarka Nagar to Khedapati Hanuman Mandir.
The inauguration of Nishatpura station not only strengthens Bhopal’s railway network but also symbolises Madhya Pradesh’s broader transformation, where heritage and modern infrastructure are being woven together to meet the demands of the future.
–IANS
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