Gumla: In a boost for southern Jharkhand, the Centre has notified the 291.88-km Dharamjaygarh-Pathalgaon-Lohardaga railway project, paving the way for train connectivity to Gumla.The Bilaspur division of South East Central Railway issued a notification on June 4, formally bringing the project connecting Jharkhand with Chhattisgarh into effect. The line will connect Lohardaga to Gumla and extend to Pathalgaon and Dharamjaygarh in neighbouring Chhattisgarh.For residents of Gumla, who have demanded rail connectivity since 1980s, the decision is a welcome development. The proposed alignment is expected to integrate tribal belts along the Jharkhand-Chhattisgarh border into the national railway network, with a significant stretch falling in Chhattisgarh.Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai is learnt to have played a key role in pushing the inclusion of tribal regions such as Kunkuri, Jashpur and Pathalgaon into the rail network.Lohardaga MP Sukhdeo Bhagat, who has raised the issue in Parliament, said, “A new chapter is set to be added to the development history of southern Jharkhand. Lohardaga, Jashpur and adjoining areas, which have waited for rail connectivity for years, are now moving towards reality.”He added that the project would form “a strong foundation for the social, economic and industrial upliftment” of border regions.Beyond connectivity, the rail line is expected to boost agriculture by enabling cheaper and faster transport of Gumla’s farm and horticultural produce, improving market access and price realisation for farmers.Gumla Chamber of Commerce president Rajesh Lohani said the project will reduce the need for long-distance travel to catch trains and open up access to cities such as Delhi, Kolkata and Ranchi. “It will also generate thousands of jobs in tourism, transport and allied sectors,” he said.