Railway Ministry okays extension of two MEMU trains from Gondia and Chandrapur Fort to Armori

The Railway Ministry has approved the extension of two MEMU trains, running between Gondia and Wadsa and between Wadsa and Chandrapur Fort (Chandrapur), to Armori railway station. The Railway Board issued the official letter on October 10, 2026. People in Armori had been demanding a rail service for a long time, and the approval is being seen as an important step towards meeting that demand.

The demand for rail facilities for the citizens of the Armori area had been raised at several levels. After work on the Wadsa-Armori line was completed, former MLA Krishna Gajbe wrote to the Chief Minister, a Union minister and the Railway Minister seeking the start of this service. The service was considered important because it would give students, traders, salaried workers, farmers and ordinary commuters relief on fares. With the extension of both MEMU trains now approved, Armori's long-held hope of a rail link has been strengthened.

Former MP Ashok Nete had pursued the proposed Wadsa-Gadchiroli rail line, and the work actually began after that. The line was completed up to Armori after overcoming hurdles posed by the Forest Department. Work on the section onward to Gadchiroli is under way.

Gajbe thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Maharashtra Chief Minister and Gadchiroli district guardian minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar for approving rail service to Armori. He said that with the cooperation of the Central and state governments, there has been significant progress in Armori's rail connectivity.

Under the Railway Board's approval, train no. 68806 Gondia-Wadsa MEMU will be extended to Armori. The train leaves Gondia at 7.10 pm and reaches Wadsa at 9.30 pm. It will then leave Wadsa at 9.35 pm and reach Armori railway station at 10 pm.

Similarly, train no. 68808 Wadsa-Chandrapur Fort MEMU has been approved to start from Armori. It will leave Armori at 6.30 am, reach Wadsa at 7.05 am, depart for Chandrapur Fort at 7.15 am and arrive there at 9.55 am.

Approving the extension of both trains, the Railway Board has directed that the service be started as early as possible, from a convenient date. However, the date on which the service will actually begin has not yet been announced.