A new chapter opened in the railway history of Madhya Pradesh’s tribal-dominated Dhar region on Tuesday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off a new MEMU passenger service between Tanda Road in Dhar district and Pratapnagar in Vadodara.

The new train service provides rail connectivity between parts of Dhar and neighbouring Alirajpur and Gujarat’s Vadodara and Chhota Udepur regions. Modi also dedicated the Jobat–Tanda Road new railway line, developed as part of the Chhota Udepur–Dhar rail project. 

The development is significant for a region that has long remained outside the passenger railway network. However, there is an important distinction: the train has reached Dhar district, but not Dhar city. The district headquarters continues to await direct passenger rail connectivity.

Tanda Road gets its first passenger train

The new service operates between Pratapnagar in Vadodara and Tanda Road, with the train providing a direct rail connection for passengers from the tribal belt of western Madhya Pradesh towards Gujarat.

The Railway Ministry and government officials have highlighted the potential benefits for people travelling for education, employment, business and other purposes. 

The service is a 12-coach MEMU, according to reports on the launch. The new connection is expected to make travel between the two states more convenient, particularly for people in areas that have traditionally depended heavily on road transport. 

Jobat-Tanda Road line connects tribal areas

The newly dedicated Jobat–Tanda Road section is part of the larger Chhota Udepur–Dhar railway project.

The Union government has described the line as an important step towards connecting remote and tribal areas of Alirajpur with the national railway network. The project is expected to improve access to larger urban centres and strengthen regional economic links. 

The broader project has been under development for years. The foundation stone for the Chhota Udepur–Dhar rail project was laid in 2008, making the opening of the Tanda Road section a significant milestone after a prolonged wait.

Expected boost to trade and employment

Improved rail connectivity could have implications beyond passenger travel.

The tribal districts of western Madhya Pradesh have agricultural, forest-based and other local economic activities, while Gujarat provides access to larger industrial and commercial centres. A direct rail connection can potentially make movement of people and goods more efficient.

Officials and local residents expect the new connectivity to support trade, employment, education, healthcare and tourism in the region. 

For students and workers travelling towards Gujarat, the train could provide an additional and more affordable transport option. Businesses may also benefit from improved access to markets and urban centres.

Dhar city still waits for direct rail service

Despite the historic significance of Tuesday's launch, the railway milestone does not mean that Dhar city itself has received passenger rail connectivity.

The new service reaches Tanda Road, while Dhar city remains outside the operational passenger railway network. The distance between Tanda Road and Dhar means residents of the district headquarters will still need road transport to access the new service.

This distinction is important because the wider Chhota Udepur–Dhar project is intended to eventually provide broader connectivity across the region.

Dhar is also connected to the separate Indore–Dahod railway project, under which work towards improving rail connectivity in the Dhar-Pithampur area is progressing.

Nearly two decades after project foundation

The launch also highlights how long major railway infrastructure projects can take to reach operational stages.

The Chhota Udepur–Dhar railway project was conceived to improve connectivity between Gujarat and western Madhya Pradesh, particularly through tribal and relatively remote areas. The commissioning of the Jobat–Tanda Road section now provides the project with a functioning passenger-rail component.

The broader railway push in the region is also being supported by other projects announced during Modi's Vadodara visit. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for three railway projects covering 329 km and costing more than ₹9,700 crore, including additional lines on the Vadodara–Ratlam route and doubling and gauge-conversion works on other sections. (Akashvani News)

A new rail link between MP and Gujarat

The Tanda Road–Vadodara MEMU service is therefore more than the launch of a new train for local passengers. It represents the first operational passenger rail connection to the tribal belt of Dhar district and strengthens the transport link between Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

For residents of Tanda Road, Jobat and surrounding areas, the immediate benefit is access to the railway network. For Dhar city, however, the milestone is also a reminder that the wait for a direct train has not yet ended.

The next phase of railway development will determine how quickly this connectivity can be extended deeper into Dhar district and eventually bring the district headquarters directly onto the passenger rail map.

Indore police have arrested two more people in connection with the seizure of illegal liquor worth around ₹55 lakh from a container in the Kanadia area. The two accused allegedly arranged the transportation of beer from the Gwalior-Chambal region to Alirajpur on commission.

The accused have been identified as Honey alias Harbhajan Tuteja, a resident of Amitesh Nagar, and Monu alias Krishna, a resident of Rather in Morena. They were arrested by Kanadia police on Saturday and produced before a court, which sent them to five-day police custody.

According to police, both accused were allegedly involved in arranging liquor supplies from Gwalior and Shivpuri towards Alirajpur through Indore. During questioning, they reportedly disclosed the names of two liquor contractors allegedly linked to the supply chain. Police are now investigating other people connected with the network.

Liquor Seized After Road Accident

The case came to light on July 22 after a liquor-laden container collided with another vehicle on the bypass in the Kanadia area. Police personnel reached the spot after the accident and found a large quantity of liquor inside the container.

The five people travelling in the container were subsequently arrested. They were identified as Aakash Ahirwar, Rahul Namdev, Vijay Vaishnav, Deepash Sonone and Nitesh Prajapati.

When police asked for the liquor documents, the accused reportedly said that the consignment had been brought from Gwalior and was being transported to Alirajpur.

927 Cases of Beer Recovered

Police said approximately 927 cases of Mount brand beer were recovered from the container. The beer is reportedly manufactured at a factory in the Gwalior region.

According to the investigation, the beer was allegedly being transported to Alirajpur, where it was sold at small liquor outlets and roadside shops under the name “Lalten.”

Police said the product reportedly has demand in rural areas. However, the claims regarding the manner and extent of its sale are part of the ongoing investigation.

Two Contractors Under Scanner

During questioning, the two newly arrested accused allegedly told investigators that they arranged liquor transportation on commission. They also reportedly named two liquor contractors who allegedly procured the stock from the factory and liquor outlets in the Gwalior-Chambal region before arranging its movement towards Alirajpur.

Investigators are now attempting to establish the complete chain, including the source of the liquor, the people involved in its transportation and those allegedly responsible for its distribution.

Police Investigating Wider Network

The arrest of Honey Tuteja and Monu alias Krishna has taken the number of people arrested in connection with the case to seven. The initial five arrests were made after the container was intercepted following the road accident.

Police are questioning the two newly arrested accused during their remand period and are examining the information provided by them. Investigators are also trying to identify other people who may have been involved in the alleged illegal liquor supply network.

The police investigation is expected to focus on the movement of liquor from the Gwalior-Chambal region to Alirajpur and the alleged commission-based distribution system.

A 40-year-old widow was allegedly gang-raped during a robbery at her home in Madhya Pradesh's Alirajpur district, leaving her critically injured. Police have launched a large-scale search operation to trace the accused, while the survivor is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Indore.

According to police, the incident occurred on Friday night in a village under the jurisdiction of Bori police station. The woman was reportedly at home with her younger daughter when a group of unidentified men allegedly broke into the house.

Robbery Turns Violent

Preliminary investigation suggests that five to six men entered the residence with the apparent intention of committing robbery. During the incident, two of the intruders allegedly sexually assaulted the woman.

Police said the attackers fled after allegedly stealing silver ornaments and a mobile phone from the house. Investigators are examining whether the crime was planned solely as a robbery or whether other motives were involved.

Victim Suffers Serious Injuries

Alirajpur Superintendent of Police Raghuvansh Kumar Singh said the survivor sustained serious injuries during the assault and was initially treated locally before being referred to a hospital in Indore for advanced medical care.

The police official stated that the preliminary investigation indicates a wooden object was allegedly inserted into the woman's private parts during the assault. Doctors have confirmed injuries consistent with the allegations, while the survivor continues to receive treatment. Her condition remains serious.

Police Probe Underway

Police have registered a case and launched an intensive investigation to identify and arrest those responsible. Forensic teams have visited the crime scene and collected evidence that investigators believe could help reconstruct the sequence of events.

Officials have not disclosed specific details about the evidence recovered, citing the sensitivity of the investigation and the need to protect its integrity.

Multiple Angles Being Examined

Speaking about the case, Superintendent of Police Raghuvansh Kumar Singh said the available evidence suggests the accused entered the house with the intention of committing robbery. However, investigators are examining every possible angle before drawing final conclusions.

Police are also working to establish the identities of all those involved and determine the role played by each suspect during the incident.

Search Operation Intensified

Special police teams have been deployed to locate the accused, and search operations are continuing in and around the district. Investigators are collecting witness statements and analysing available evidence to identify the suspects and track their movements.

Officials have assured that all those found responsible will face strict legal action in accordance with the law.

The incident has once again raised concerns over violent crimes against women and rural security. Authorities have appealed to anyone with information related to the suspects or the incident to come forward and assist the investigation while ensuring that the survivor's identity and privacy remain protected.