Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], July 28 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday unveiled stoppages for two trains at the newly developed Nishatpura Railway Station in Bhopal, stating that the move will improve rail connectivity and it is a part of the state's preparations for Simhastha 2028.
The Chief Minister inaugurated the new stoppages for the Dr Ambedkar Nagar-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Malwa Express and the Veraval-Jabalpur Express. Along with this, he also flagged off the Malwa Express from the station.
Addressing the programme, the Chief Minister said that Bhopal has now gained its fourth railway station. Over the past 12 years, Indian Railways has witnessed unprecedented expansion and modernisation. He said the commissioning of Nishatpura Station would reduce travel time and improve operational efficiency. The two trains stopping in Bhopal symbolise Shiva and Shakti, a release said.
Highlighting preparations for Simhastha 2028, the Chief Minister said Indian Railways is strengthening connectivity across the state as nearly 400 million devotees are expected to visit Madhya Pradesh during the event, noting that new railway stations would play a vital role in easing passenger congestion during the mega religious congregation.
Developed at a cost of Rs 14 crore, Nishatpura Railway Station will open new avenues of growth for the surrounding area while offering improved passenger amenities. The new station will enable passengers travelling between New Delhi, Ujjain and Indore to save time by boarding trains directly from Nishatpura without travelling to Bhopal Main Station.
The Chief Minister said improved railway connectivity would also boost trade, agriculture and freight transportation. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for supporting the expansion of railway infrastructure in Madhya Pradesh.
He further said the railway budget allocation for Madhya Pradesh has increased from Rs 632 crore during 2009-2014 to Rs 15,288 crore for 2026-27, describing it as a 24-fold increase. He added that railway projects worth Rs 1.18 lakh crore are currently under implementation in the state.
The Chief Minister also said Madhya Pradesh has achieved 100 per cent railway electrification and highlighted the introduction of modern trains such as Vande Bharat Express and Amrit Bharat Express. He announced that modern railway coaches will soon be manufactured near Bhopal.
He further said that since 2014, around 2,800 kilometres of new railway lines have been laid in the state, elaborating that the pace of railway track construction has increased from 4 kilometres per day to 34 kilometres per day under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He added that Bhopal now has four major railway stations--Rani Kamlapati, Bhopal Junction, Sant Hirdaram Nagar and Nishatpura--while recently Madhya Pradesh has also received 13 Amrit Stations under the station redevelopment programme.