Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually flagged off two new express train services — Train No. 11631/32 Bhopal–Dhanbad–Bhopal Tri-Weekly Express and Train No. 11633/34 Bhopal–Chopan–Bhopal Weekly Express — marking a significant expansion of rail connectivity for Madhya Pradesh and its neighbouring states.
The virtual launch was conducted from Rail Bhawan, New Delhi. The ceremony at Bhopal Railway Station was attended by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Deputy Chief Ministers Jagdish Devda and Rajendra Shukla, Members of Parliament Alok Sharma and Rajesh Mishra, Members of Legislative Assembly Radha Singh and Riti Pathak, along with other dignitaries.
The newly introduced services are designed to address rising passenger demand and strengthen direct connectivity from Madhya Pradesh to Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, particularly linking industrial and mining regions with the state capital.
Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that railway development in Madhya Pradesh has reached an unprecedented scale during the Prime Minister’s third term. He informed that projects worth approximately ₹48,000 crore directly connecting with Madhya Pradesh have been sanctioned during this period.
He highlighted that the Indore–Manmad new railway line has been sanctioned at an estimated cost of ₹18,000 crore. The Bhusawal–Khandwa third and fourth line project has been approved at ₹3,500 crore, while the Prayagraj–Manikpur third line project has been sanctioned at ₹1,640 crore. The Ratlam–Nagda third and fourth line project has received approval at ₹1,000 crore.
Further strengthening capacity, the Itarsi–Nagpur fourth railway line project has been sanctioned at ₹5,400 crore. The Itarsi–Bhopal–Bina fourth line corridor, a critical high-density route, has been approved at ₹4,300 crore. The Vadodara–Ratlam third and fourth line project has been sanctioned at ₹8,800 crore. The Cabinet has also approved the Gondia–Jabalpur doubling project at ₹5,200 crore.
Other major ongoing works include the Ramganj Mandi–Bhopal, Lalitpur–Singrauli, Indore–Budni, Bina–Katni third line, Satna–Rewa and Katni–Singrauli doubling, Katni grade separator, and gauge conversion projects, all of which are expected to enhance capacity, punctuality and freight efficiency.
The Union Budget has also proposed a new Dedicated Freight Corridor from Dankuni in West Bengal to Surat in Gujarat, passing through Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. This 2,052 km East–West corridor will connect with the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, ensuring seamless goods movement to western ports and reducing congestion on existing routes.
Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that this corridor will provide a strong foundation for large-scale industrial development in Madhya Pradesh. By connecting the state to major ports in Gujarat and Maharashtra, including Hazira, Mundra and the upcoming Vadhvan Port, industries in Madhya Pradesh will gain faster access to global markets for both containerised and bulk cargo.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav welcomed the introduction of the new services, stating that daily rail connectivity to Singrauli is a major milestone for the region. He said the train will benefit residents engaged in trade, business and employment between Singrauli and Dhanbad. He described the new connectivity with Jharkhand and Bihar as a pathway for development across the three states.
Bhopal–Dhanbad–Bhopal Tri-Weekly Express (Train No. 11631/32)
The train will halt at 30 stations between Bhopal and Dhanbad. It will depart Bhopal at 20:55 hrs and arrive at Dhanbad at 20:30 hrs the following day. On return, it will depart Dhanbad at 07:20 hrs and reach Bhopal at 07:00 hrs the next day. The train will operate with 24 coaches, including AC, Sleeper and General classes.
Bhopal–Chopan–Bhopal Weekly Express (Train No. 11633/34)
This service will halt at 15 stations between Bhopal and Chopan. It will depart Bhopal at 20:55 hrs and reach Chopan at 10:50 hrs the following day. On return, it will leave Chopan at 17:10 hrs and arrive in Bhopal at 07:00 hrs the next day. The train will also operate with 24 coaches comprising AC, Sleeper and General classes.
The services will provide direct connectivity to Vidisha, Ganj Basoda, Bina, Sagar, Damoh, Katni Murwara, Khanna Banjari, Beohari, Singrauli, Chopan, Chandrapura and Dhanbad, among other stations. They are expected to strengthen trade, mining and energy sector linkages while facilitating smoother passenger movement across Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.
Madhya Pradesh has received ₹15,188 crore for railway development under the Union Budget 2026–27, a 24-fold increase compared to the period 2009–2014. The Budget has allocated ₹2,93,030 crore as capital expenditure for Indian Railways and ₹1.20 lakh crore for safety.
Railway projects worth ₹1,18,379 crore are currently underway in the state. Railway lines in Madhya Pradesh have achieved 100 percent electrification. Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 80 stations are being redeveloped, with several already inaugurated in 2025.
A plan has been prepared to implement the Kavach safety system over 4,591 route kilometres in the state. Five pairs of Vande Bharat Express and four pairs of Amrit Bharat Express trains are currently operating in Madhya Pradesh, with additional services planned this year.
The introduction of the new trains and ongoing infrastructure investments underscore the Government’s commitment to expanding railway capacity, improving safety standards and strengthening economic connectivity in central India.
