Janjgir-Champa: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has announced development works worth more than ₹63 crore for Shivrinarayan in Janjgir-Champa district, including a new bridge over the Mahanadi, a sewage treatment plant (STP) and the development of the town under the Ram Van Gaman Tourism Circuit.
The announcements were made during the three-day Shivrinarayan Mahotsav. The Chief Minister also announced that a survey would be conducted to examine the proposal to upgrade Shivrinarayan to a municipality.
Sai said Shivrinarayan holds religious and cultural significance in Chhattisgarh and that facilities would be expanded in response to the town’s needs.
New Bridge and Sewage Treatment Plant Planned
The proposed bridge over the Mahanadi is intended to improve connectivity for people travelling through the area.
The planned STP will treat the town’s wastewater. According to the Chief Minister, the facility is expected to improve sanitation in Shivrinarayan and help maintain the cleanliness of the Mahanadi.
The government has also announced plans to develop Shivrinarayan under the Ram Van Gaman Tourism Circuit, which focuses on locations associated with Lord Ram’s forest journey.
The proposed municipal-status survey will examine the possibility of upgrading the town’s civic administration.
Government Highlights Housing Progress Under PM Awas Yojana
During his address, Sai said the state government was working to fulfil the commitments made under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guarantees.
He recalled that the state Cabinet had approved 18 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana at its first meeting after the government was formed. According to the Chief Minister, approximately 11.5 lakh of these houses have been completed, with around 1,600 houses being completed each day.
He also cited housing approvals for specific groups:
- Surrendered Naxalites: 15,000 houses approved.
- Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs): 32,000 houses approved under the PM JANMAN scheme.
The figures were shared by the Chief Minister during the event.
Paddy Procurement and Financial Assistance for Women
Sai highlighted measures relating to farmers’ income and financial support for women.
He said paddy was being procured from farmers at ₹3,100 per quintal, with a procurement limit of 21 quintals per acre. More than 250 new paddy procurement centres have also been opened across the state, according to his address.
The Chief Minister added that the procurement rate for tendu leaves had been increased to ₹5,500 per standard sack.
Under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, eligible women receive financial assistance of ₹1,000 per month.
Ram Van Gaman Tourism Circuit to Cover Shivrinarayan
The Chief Minister described Shivrinarayan as an important religious destination associated with Lord Ram’s forest journey.
He said its development under the Ram Van Gaman Tourism Circuit would support religious tourism. The initiative could also create employment and livelihood opportunities for local residents, he said.
Sai further stated that approximately 50,000 devotees had visited Ayodhya to offer prayers to Ram Lalla under the state’s Shri Ramlala Darshan Yojana.
421 Closed Schools Reopened in Bastar
Referring to development initiatives in Bastar, the Chief Minister said the state was working to extend government schemes and basic facilities to remote areas through programmes including the Niyad Nellanar Yojana and the Agrani Bastar Abhiyan.
He stated that 421 schools that had previously been closed in Bastar had been reopened.
More Than 700 Government Services to Be Made Available Online
The Chief Minister also referred to initiatives aimed at improving public service delivery and administrative transparency.
These include Chief Minister’s Helpline 1076, the Seva Setu portal and Atal Digital Suvidha Kendras.
According to Sai, work is underway to make more than 700 services from 36 departments available online through the Seva Setu platform. He said the government’s priorities included delivering services on time and maintaining transparency in administration.
Union Minister of State Calls for Water Conservation
Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu also addressed the gathering, highlighting Shivrinarayan’s religious and cultural importance.
He urged people to participate actively in water conservation efforts.
The Shivrinarayan Mahotsav began with the Chief Minister’s announcements covering the proposed bridge, sewage treatment plant, tourism-related development and a survey for possible municipal status.
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