- 360° plan for Bastar – Focus on tourism, startups, infrastructure and innovation
- PM’s Bastar visit will be a turning point, with the gift of major projects
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, presenting a new vision for Bastar’s future. During the meeting, the Chief Minister not only thanked the Prime Minister for the peace brought to the state following the end of Naxalism, but also presented a detailed and visionary blueprint for Bastar’s overall development. He also invited the Prime Minister to visit Bastar after the monsoon season, where he is scheduled to lay the foundation stone and inaugurate several major projects in his presence.
He stated that Naxalism has been eradicated throughout the state, including Bastar, and peace is now established. As part of education and health reforms, new education cities, super-specialty hospitals, and medical colleges are being built, while connectivity is being strengthened by a barrage on the Indravati River, a rail line, and an airport expansion. The Chief Minister stated that this blueprint will usher in a new era of development, employment, and improved facilities in Bastar.
In his development document, the Chief Minister noted that the Prime Minister’s vision of peace and development for Bastar, envisioned a decade ago, is now being realized on the ground. With the end of Naxalism, people are no longer filled with fear, but with a renewed sense of hope and development. He said that under the Prime Minister’s guidance, Bastar will receive new direction and momentum, boosting confidence and enthusiasm in the region.
The development blueprint presented by the Chief Minister is based on the strategy of “Saturate, Connect, Facilitate, Empower, and Engage.” It aims to rapidly expand infrastructure in Bastar. Remote villages will be connected through an extensive road network. In addition to completing unfinished projects under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana by 2027, construction of 228 new roads and 267 bridges is proposed. In addition, special central assistance has been requested for 61 new projects.
Major changes are also planned in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Work to provide electricity to every household will accelerate. In the education sector, 45 Pota cabin schools will be converted into permanent buildings. Fifteen stadiums and two multipurpose halls will be constructed for youth, while health services will be strengthened by expanding primary health centers and building transit hostels for doctors.
In the field of agriculture and irrigation, two major projects on the Indravati River have been approved in Deurgaon and Matnar, providing irrigation facilities to 31,840 hectares of land. These projects will play a vital role in strengthening Bastar’s agricultural economy.
To enhance livelihoods and incomes, the government has formulated a three-year plan, which aims to increase the monthly income of 85% of households from Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000 by 2029. More districts are now being added under the ‘Niyad Nella Naar 2.0’ scheme, which will ensure wider spread of development benefits. Launched in 10 districts, the scheme is now being expanded to 7 districts and 3 new districts (Gariaband, Mohla-Manpur-Ambagadh Chowki, Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai).
A startup policy has also been implemented under ‘Anjor Vision 2047’ and ‘Develop India@2047’, with the target of creating 5,000 startups by 2030.
Work is also progressing rapidly to establish Bastar’s global identity in the tourism sector. Projects such as the Chitrakoot and Tirathgarh Waterfalls, Kanger Valley National Park, adventure tourism, canopy walks, and glass bridges are being developed. Events like the Bastar Olympics and Bastar Pandum are giving the region a new identity. Meanwhile, more than 100,000 youth have been provided with skills training, of which 40,000 have been employed.
The “Bastar Munne” (Leading Bastar) program is a key initiative in the action plan presented by Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai to the Prime Minister today for the development of a Naxal-free Bastar. Under this program, camps will be set up in every Gram Panchayat, where, in the presence of officials, people will be directly provided with the benefits of government schemes, necessary documents will be processed, and their problems will be resolved on the spot. The objective is to ensure easy access to government schemes to every individual and to propel Bastar forward on the path of rapid development.
Key projects scheduled for foundation stone laying and inauguration during the Prime Minister’s proposed visit include the Rowghat-Jagdalpur rail line, the expansion of Jagdalpur Airport, a super specialty hospital, a medical college in Dantewada, and key initiatives such as education cities in Jagargunda and Orchha. These projects will take Bastar to new heights in the areas of education, health, and connectivity.