MP: How Kailaras-Birpur rail link will boost connectivity in Gwalior-Chambal; new MEMU service and gauge conversion may improve travel, trade, tourism, and employment
Bhopal: The Kailaras-Birpur railway section—which has undergone gauge conversion—was inaugurated on Tuesday. This marks a significant step towards enhancing rail connectivity in the Gwalior-Chambal region.
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar, and Morena MP Shivmangal Singh Tomar jointly flagged off the new service via video conferencing.
The extension of the MEMU service to Birpur will benefit residents of Sabalgarh, Birpur, and surrounding rural areas by providing easy access to Gwalior. CM Mohan Yadav stated that improved connectivity would create new opportunities in education, employment, local trade, and tourism—particularly around Kuno National Park.
Vaishnaw said that railway investment in Madhya Pradesh has increased substantially; the annual allocation has risen from an average of Rs 632 crore during 2004–2014 to Rs 14,700 crore in the current budget. Railway projects worth approximately Rs 1.18 lakh crore are currently underway in the state.
The 56-km-long Kailaras-Birpur broad-gauge section is part of the larger 188-km Gwalior-Sheopur Kalan gauge conversion project, valued at Rs 3,128 crore. This project is expected to strengthen regional trade and pave the way for future expansion towards Sheopur Kalan and Kota.
Vaishnaw also emphasized the introduction of 12,500 new general and sleeper coaches for passenger convenience, as well as the expansion of Vande Bharat, Vande Bharat Sleeper, and Namo Bharat rapid rail services.
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that better connectivity is essential for the development of any industrial region. The Gwalior region will see increased employment opportunities for youth through projects such as battery storage, a footwear cluster and a hydrogen manufacturing unit. He said that Indian Railways remains the most accessible and affordable mode of transport in the country. The expansion of the railway network in the Gwalior region is a major gift for the people of the State.