Scindia, Yadav flag off new Gwalior-Birpur rail link

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday virtually inaugurated the gauge-converted Kailaras-Sabalgarh-Birpur rail section and flagged off the extension of the Gwalior-Kailaras train service to Birpur. The 56-km section will provide direct rail connectivity from Birpur, Vijaypur and Sabalgarh to Gwalior.

Vaishnaw said the move will benefit residents of over 100 villages across Morena and Sheopur districts, particularly those in rural and tribal areas, by improving access to education, healthcare and jobs. He added that the line will eventually be extended to Sheopur Kalan and Kota, and that work on the 117-km Birlanagar-Birpur section is progressing, with segments to Seroni Road and Sheopur Kalan nearing completion.

Vaishnaw said Madhya Pradesh's railway budget has risen from Rs 632 crore in 2009-14 to Rs 15,188 crore in 2026-27, with projects worth Rs 1.55 lakh crore underway. He also noted 80 stations are being redeveloped and five Vande Bharat and seven Amrit Bharat trains are operational in the state. Scindia described the extension as a historic milestone for the Gwalior-Chambal region.