Final Phase of Bhanupli-Bilaspur-Bairi Rail Project Delayed Over Funding Shortfall and Pending Land Acquisition
The long-delayed Bhanupli-Bilaspur-Bairi railway project has stalled in its final phase due to pending budget approval and unresolved land acquisition challenges. The 11.1 km stretch from Badhyat to Barmaana requires acquisition of approximately 533 bighas of private land, but this process has been stalled for over three years without final approval from the state government.
While the Rail Vikas Nigam has set a target to complete the Bhanupli-Bilaspur section by 2027, progress beyond Badhyat is hindered. So far, only forest land has been transferred for the project, while private land acquisition remains pending.
The district administration has submitted the land acquisition file to the state government after completing the Social Impact Assessment (SIA), but no decision has been made. A key reason for the delay is the lack of clarity between the state and central governments on who will bear the acquisition costs.
Initially, the project was estimated at ₹4,200 crore, but due to delays and increased construction material prices post-2020, the cost has surged to ₹7,000 crore. A revised estimate of around ₹13,000 crore has now been submitted to the central government, which is under review.
Officials from the Rail Vikas Nigam warn that if construction is delayed by another two years, the project cost may escalate by an additional ₹1,000 crore. The central government is currently reviewing the revised proposal to determine if cost-cutting is feasible before granting approval.
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