RAIPUR (Metro Rail News): To facilitate socio-economic development in the state capital, Raipur, the Chhattisgarh government has approved the Raipur-Durg metro rail project. This development is part of the border vision of creating a State Capital Region (SCR) modelled after Delhi’s National Capital Region (NCR).
The proposed SCR aims to integrate Raipur, Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, and the Durg–Bhilai corridor into a coordinated urban framework. The metro rail corridor is intended to facilitate more efficient movement of people, reduce road congestion, and contribute to the development of shared infrastructure across the region.
According to projections, the region is expected to have a population exceeding 50 lakh by 2031, and the metro system is being developed to meet the anticipated demand for reliable and accessible public transportation.
To initiate the Raipur–Durg Metro Rail Project, the Chhattisgarh government has allocated an initial sum of ₹5 crore in the 2024–25 state budget for conducting a comprehensive feasibility survey. This allocation is the first step towards assessing the technical, financial, and operational viability of the proposed metro corridor. Chhattisgarh may introduce a light metro system in its capital. The Raipur Municipal Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation to explore the implementation of a light metro system in Raipur in August 2024.
The Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) is being established to lead the planning and execution of the Raipur–Durg Metro Rail Project. The CRDA will function as the nodal agency responsible for coordinated development across the proposed State Capital Region (SCR).
Chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, the CRDA will include cabinet ministers, senior bureaucrats, Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), and representatives from urban local bodies. The CRDA will oversee key functions such as land use regulation, infrastructure development, investment facilitation, and environmental management within the SCR. It will play a central role in integrating regional planning with implementation to ensure cohesive urban growth.
To support the funding of capital-intensive infrastructure projects like the Raipur–Durg Metro, the CRDA will have the statutory authority to impose a dedicated infrastructure cess. Additionally, the authority will be responsible for preparing annual budgets and submitting progress reports to the state government.
To get real-time updates on metro and railway tenders, join our WhatsApp Community https://chat.whatsapp.com/FhRoGfM8zUl4secYj1ZQDT
