New Delhi: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai presented a comprehensive development roadmap for Bastar at the 11th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The plan focuses on transforming Bastar into a hub of economic growth, employment generation, tourism, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.
The Chief Minister emphasized the vision of a “Naxalism-free and economically empowered Bastar,” highlighting that the region is now steadily moving towards peace and prosperity after decades of conflict.
₹30,000 Monthly Income Target for Bastar Families
CM Sai announced that the government aims to raise the monthly income of Bastar families to ₹30,000 within three years. Currently, nearly 85% of households earn less than ₹15,000 per month.
He said targeted livelihood programmes will be implemented to bridge this income gap and ensure inclusive rural development.
Dairy Revolution to Strengthen Rural Livelihoods
A major dairy development initiative is being rolled out in Bastar to boost income opportunities for tribal families.
Under this model:
- Milch cows and buffaloes will be distributed to families
- Women and youth will be engaged in dairy-based employment
- Milk collection, transport, and processing systems will be strengthened
The initiative aims to create a sustainable rural economy driven by dairy production.
₹2,000 Crore Irrigation Expansion Plan
The Chief Minister also announced irrigation projects worth over ₹2,000 crore, covering 32,000 hectares of farmland.
Key highlights include:
- Year-round water availability from the Indravati river region
- Shift from single-crop farming to diversified agriculture
- Increased production of vegetables, fruits, and cash crops
This is expected to significantly boost farmers’ income and agricultural productivity.
Digital Health Network for 36 Lakh People
To improve healthcare access in remote areas, the state is creating digital health profiles for 36 lakh residents.
The initiative will:
- Maintain complete medical records
- Support timely diagnosis and treatment
- Improve healthcare delivery in tribal regions
In addition, around 200 security camps are being converted into “Seva Dera” service hubs, offering access to 371 government schemes including ration, pension, healthcare, banking, and education services under one roof.
Bastar to Become a Tourism and Employment Hub
CM Sai said Bastar is being developed as a major tourism destination with world-class facilities in regions like Chitrakot and Sirpur.
Planned developments include:
- Water sports and adventure tourism
- Jungle safaris and eco-tourism
- Meditation centres and museums
- Riverfront development projects
These initiatives are expected to generate employment for local guides, artisans, transport operators, hotel workers, and small entrepreneurs.
Education, Semiconductors and Investment Growth
The state has implemented 435 reforms to improve ease of doing business and attract investment.
Major developments include:
- Establishment of two semiconductor units
- Development of Education Cities in Abujhmad and Jagargunda (₹100 crore)
- Expansion of 341 PM SHRI schools and 5,857 smart classrooms
- Introduction of bilingual education in 16 local languages
These steps aim to strengthen both industrial and human resource capacity in the state.
Digital Governance and Startup Ecosystem Boost
Chhattisgarh has integrated over 33 lakh farmers into digital services through the AgriStack platform.
Governance improvements include:
- Digital Dwar portal
- Atal Monitoring Portal
- AI, tourism, sports, infrastructure and startup missions
These reforms are designed to improve transparency, efficiency, and job creation.
Export Growth and ODOP Success
The state’s industrial diversification is showing strong results, with sectors like semiconductors, electronics, textiles, bio-ethanol, and sports equipment expanding rapidly.
Under the One District-One Product (ODOP) scheme, local products are gaining national and international markets.
Chhattisgarh recorded exports worth ₹761.76 crore (till February 2026), with aromatic rice being a major contributor.
CM Vishnu Deo Sai reaffirmed that all these initiatives are aligned with the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047”, aiming to transform Bastar into a model of inclusive, sustainable, and technology-driven development.
