In the presence of the Minister of Railways, Shri Dinesh Trivedi and the Chief Minister of Chhatisgarh state, Shri Raman Singh, an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the development of rail corridors in Chhatisgarh state, was signed by Chairman, Railway Board, Shri Vinay Mittal and Chief Secretary, Government of Chhatisgarh, Shri Sunil Kumar.

The Minister of State for Railways, Shri Bharatsinh Solanki, Board Members and senior officials of Government of Chhatisgarh state and Railway Board were also present on the occasion.

The three rail corridors meant for both passengers and freight would be developed in northern region of Chhatisgarh state, approximately 452 kilometres in total length.. These are:- 1) East Corridor: Bhupdevpur-Gharghoda-Dharamjaygarh up to Korba with spur from Gharghoda to Donga Mauha to connect mines of Gare-Pelma block, approximately 180 kilometres in length, 2) North Corridor: Surajpur-Parsa-Katghora-Korba, approximately 150 kilometres in length and 3) East-West Corridor: Gevra Raod to Pendra Road via Dipka, Katghora, Sindurgarh, approximately 122 kilometres in length.

These corridors will be implemented through specific Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) or any other appropriate model of Public Private Partnership (PPP), which will be granted appropriate concession for this purpose by Ministry of Railways. The Ministry of Railways on its own or through its Public Sector Undertaking and Government of Chhatisgarh state on its own or through its designated agencies will participate in the SPVs as equity partners. Under this MOU, Government of Chhatisgarh state will provide land owned by the State Government and the cost of such land will be part of Government of Chhatisgarh state’s equity in the SPVs.

The alignment of these corridors will be such as to connect towns and villages in the region also. East corridor will connect Gharghoda and Dharamajaygarh, North Corridor will connect Katghora, Parsa and Surjpur and East-West Corridor will connect Katghora, Pasan and Sindurgarh.

Government of Chhatisgarh state will make its best endeavour to complete the process of environmental/forest clearances for the projects within a period of two years from the date of application for such clearances. The SPVs will be required to complete the construction of the Corridors within a period of five years from the formation.