The demand for a regular train service between Jabalpur and Raipur has been ongoing for the past eight years. Initially, a proposal to introduce a Vande Bharat train on this route was prepared before the Lok Sabha elections. However, after the elections, the proposal was shelved due to the long travel...
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time and limited seating capacity of the proposed Vande Bharat train. The only train currently operating between Jabalpur and Raipur is the Amarakantek Express, which is often fully booked, making it difficult to secure tickets. The proposal to introduce a Vande Bharat train on the Jabalpur-Balaghat-Raipur route was rejected because of the long journey time and limited seating capacity. However, with the recent introduction of sleeper coaches in Vande Bharat trains, there is renewed interest in running this service. Organizations and representatives from Jabalpur are now urging the railway authorities to introduce a direct train to Raipur. While a new Vande Bharat train route is being explored, the proposal to introduce a Vande Bharat train with sleeper coaches on the Jabalpur-Balaghat-Raipur route has not been approved due to the single-track nature of the route. Efforts are underway to double the track. Currently, there are no direct trains from Jabalpur to Raipur, and the Amarakantek Express, which travels through Jabalpur to Raipur, is often fully booked, with waiting lists even for tickets reserved four months in advance. The senior divisional commercial manager (DCM) of the Jabalpur railway division clarified that the proposal to introduce a Vande Bharat train on the Jabalpur-Raipur route has been forwarded to the railway board for consideration, and a decision will be taken after analyzing all aspects. The chief public relations officer (CPRO) of the West Central Railway, stated that the decision to introduce a Vande Bharat train is taken by the railway board and the Prime Minister's Office. The former Zonal User Railway Consultative Committee (ZURCC) member, Dr. Sunil Mishra, expressed disappointment about the lack of effort from the division and zone to introduce a Vande Bharat train on the Jabalpur-Balaghat-Raipur route, highlighting the need for a direct and convenient train service between the two cities.