Chhattisgarh Pushes Major Growth Agenda: Chief Minister Shri Sai Presents Bastar Growth Blueprint to Prime Minister Shri Modi
Centre’s Support sought for ₹ 10,500 Crore Urea Plant, Power Connectivity and Ayurveda Institute
New delhi/ Raipur, July 31, 2026/ Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai paid courtesy call on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today at Parliament House in New Delhi and held extensive discussions on Chhattisgarh’s overall development, the transformation of Bastar, and the State’s key infrastructure and industrial initiatives. Presenting a comprehensive roadmap for a rapidly changing Chhattisgarh, with a special focus on Bastar, Shri Sai sought the Centre’s support for three major projects while outlining the State’s long-term vision for inclusive and sustainable development.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that Bastar is witnessing unprecedented transformation through an integrated strategy of security, trust and development. Once affected by Left Wing Extremism and developmental challenges, the region is now making rapid progress in education, healthcare, roads, railways, electricity, air connectivity, livelihoods, sports and tourism. He said that the State Government is committed to making this transformation permanent and fully integrating Bastar into the mainstream of development.
Early approval sought for ₹10,500 crore gas-based urea project
Shri Sai requested the Prime Minister to expedite approval for the proposed ₹10,500 crore gas-based urea project at Rajnandgaon. He informed that land for the project has already been made available and all necessary State-level approvals have been completed.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the project would significantly improve fertiliser availability for farmers in Chhattisgarh and neighbouring regions while boosting industrial investment, generating direct and indirect employment, and stimulating allied economic activities.
Special assistance sought to connect 461 villages to the permanent power grid
Shri Sai also raised the issue of 461 villages, particularly in Bastar and other sensitive areas, where electricity is presently being supplied through off-grid systems owing to security and geographical constraints that had earlier prevented grid connectivity.
He requested special assistance from the Centre to connect these villages to the permanent electricity grid, stating that reliable power supply would accelerate progress in education, healthcare, communication, livelihoods and small enterprises while strengthening development in remote regions.
Proposal for All India Institute of Ayurveda
Chief Minister Shri Sai urged the Prime Minister to support the establishment of an All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in Raipur or Bastar. He highlighted Chhattisgarh’s rich heritage of medicinal plants and traditional healing practices, particularly in Bastar and other tribal regions, and said a premier national institute would create new opportunities in healthcare, research, education and the medicinal plant-based economy.
‘Bastar Vision’ reaching 5,542 villages and nearly 39 lakh people
Presenting the State’s ‘Bastar Vision’, Shri Sai informed the Prime Minister that government schemes and public services are being implemented across 5,542 villages through ‘Niyad Nella Nar 2.0’ and ‘Bastar Muhim’, benefiting nearly 39 lakh people.
He said that special emphasis is being placed on ensuring the last-mile delivery of welfare schemes, including ration distribution, Ayushman Bharat, Jan Dhan accounts, Forest Rights Act benefits and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Improved administrative outreach in previously inaccessible villages has strengthened public confidence in governance, he added.
421 schools reopened, Education Cities planned
Highlighting the revival of education in Bastar, Shri Sai said 421 schools that had remained closed for years in Maoist-affected areas have been reopened.
He also informed the Prime Minister that the State Government is working to develop Education Cities at Orchha and Jagargunda, on the lines of Dantewada, to provide quality education, residential facilities and enhanced opportunities for competitive examinations to children from remote and tribal areas.
Over 34 lakh health screenings under Mukhyamantri Swasth Bastar Abhiyan
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that under ‘Mukhyamantri Swasth Bastar Abhiyan’, more than 34 lakh people have undergone health screening and have been linked to appropriate medical services.
He added that healthcare infrastructure is being strengthened through the expansion of super-speciality facilities in Jagdalpur and a Medical College at Geedam. The State Government is also moving ahead with plans for new medical colleges and modern healthcare infrastructure.
Connectivity driving Bastar’s transformation
Describing connectivity as the cornerstone of Bastar’s development, Shri Sai said that significant progress is being made in roads, railways, electricity and air connectivity.
He informed the Prime Minister that implementation of Jagdalpur-Raoghat railway line project is in progress at an estimated cost of around ₹3,513 crore. Once completed, this project will provide a major boost to the region’s economic and social development. Efforts are also underway to expand regular air services from Jagdalpur.
Chief Minister Shri Sai also briefed the Prime Minister on the final phase of the Raipur-Visakhapatnam Expressway and the proposed Indravati River Barrage Project, which is expected to provide irrigation to nearly 32,000 hectares, benefiting farmers and strengthening the agriculture-based economy.
Bastar Dussehra to be promoted as a global tourism brand
Shri Sai said that the State Government is taking a strategic approach to establish Bastar Dussehra as a global tourism brand while sincerely preserving the region’s unique tribal culture and traditions.
Infrastructure and visitor facilities are also being expanded to promote internationally renowned destinations such as Chitrakote and Tirathgarh waterfalls on the national and global tourism map. He stressed that Bastar’s development is being pursued while safeguarding its cultural identity and natural heritage so that local communities benefit through new livelihood and employment opportunities.
Bastar Olympics inspires over four lakh youth
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the participation of more than four lakh youth in the Bastar Olympics has created a positive environment across the region. The initiative has provided young people with a platform to showcase their talent while strengthening peace, trust and social participation.
He said that Bastar’s emerging identity is now being shaped by sports, culture, education, tourism, entrepreneurship and development.
Nearly ₹ 8 lakh crore investment proposals received
Briefing the Prime Minister on Chhattisgarh’s evolving industrial landscape, Shri Sai said the State has received investment proposals worth nearly ₹ 8 lakh crore following the implementation of the Industrial Development Policy 2024-30, with several projects already entering the implementation phase.
He said that Chhattisgarh is expanding beyond traditional industries and attracting investments in future-oriented sectors, including the State’s first AI Data Centre Park, semiconductors, hyperscale data centres, global BPOs, garments, chocolate manufacturing, electronic equipment and intraocular lens manufacturing.
These investments, he said, will diversify the State’s economy while creating large-scale employment and skill development opportunities.
Chhattisgarh earns national recognition for investment-friendly environment
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that sustained efforts to create a transparent, simple and investor-friendly ecosystem have strengthened Chhattisgarh’s national standing. He also mentioned that Chhattisgarh has secured the top position in the country in the NITI Aayog Investment Friendliness Index in the areas of regulatory ease and institutional environment.
Referring to the Chhattisgarh Ease of Doing Business Act, 2026, Shri Sai said the legislation provides a legal framework for risk-based regulation, self-certification and time-bound approvals, ensuring certainty, transparency and accountability for investors.
10.42 lakh women become ‘Lakhpati Didis’
Highlighting women’s empowerment, Shri Sai said that Chhattisgarh has surpassed its target by enabling 10.42 lakh women to become ‘Lakhpati Didis’. The State Government has now set a target of making 14 lakh more women financially self-reliant.
He also invited Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to attend the proposed ‘Lakhpati Didi Sammelan’ to be held in Raipur in 2027 as the Chief Guest.
State AI Mission worth ₹ 500 crore to strengthen governance
Chief Minister further said that Chhattisgarh is moving rapidly towards AI-enabled governance through a ₹500 crore State AI Mission.
Artificial Intelligence is being integrated to make governance more effective, transparent and citizen-centric, with applications being explored across education, healthcare, agriculture and public administration.
Strong fiscal management and revenue growth
Shri Sai also apprised the Prime Minister of the State’s improving fiscal position, stating that Chhattisgarh has successfully balanced financial discipline with public welfare while registering a significant reduction in fiscal and revenue deficits.
He said GST revenue has grown by 18 per cent, while mineral revenue has recorded a historic increase. Highlighting emerging opportunities in the mining sector, he noted that Chhattisgarh has achieved another milestone by auctioning the country’s first tin block and lithium block.
Technology-driven, citizen-centric governance
Chief Minister said that the State Government continues to strengthen transparent and technology-driven governance.
Through the Seva Setu Portal, more than 600 services across 36 departments have been made available online, reducing the need for citizens to visit government offices and enabling time-bound disposal of lakhs of applications.
He added that Mukhyamantri Helpline 1076 has been strengthened for prompt grievance redressal and effective monitoring. Revenue administration has also been modernised through automatic mutation linked to property registration, while Aadhaar-enabled and video KYC-based home registration services have made the process simpler and more convenient.
Concluding the meeting, Shri Sai said that the pace of development in Chhattisgarh has accelerated under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and with the Centre’s continued support. In line with the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’, the State Government remains committed to building a ‘Viksit Chhattisgarh’.
Expressing confidence that the Centre would extend positive support to the State’s proposals relating to Bastar’s transformation, agriculture, healthcare, energy and industrial development, the Chief Minister reaffirmed the Government’s resolve to ensure that the benefits of development reach the last village and the last citizen, transforming Chhattisgarh from a region once associated with challenges into a model of peace, prosperity and opportunity.
