New Delhi: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Parliament House and presented an ambitious roadmap for the holistic development of Bastar while seeking the Centre’s support for several flagship projects aimed at boosting agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, industrial growth and tribal development in the state.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister highlighted the transformation taking place in Bastar and requested the Prime Minister’s intervention for three major proposals—a ₹10,500 crore gas-based urea plant in Rajnandgaon, permanent electricity connectivity for 461 villages currently dependent on off-grid systems, and the establishment of an All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in either Raipur or Bastar.
₹10,500 Crore Urea Plant Gets Fresh Push
One of the key proposals placed before the Prime Minister was the early approval of the proposed ₹10,500 crore gas-based urea manufacturing plant in Rajnandgaon.
Sai informed the Prime Minister that the state government has already allotted land for the project and completed all necessary approvals. Once commissioned, the plant is expected to significantly improve fertiliser availability for farmers, reduce dependence on imports, create employment and accelerate industrial development across the region.
Permanent Power Supply for 461 Remote Villages
The Chief Minister also sought Central assistance to provide permanent grid connectivity to 461 villages that currently depend on off-grid electricity systems because of long-standing security challenges.
According to the state government, connecting these villages to the national power grid would substantially improve the quality of life, strengthen rural infrastructure and support economic activities in remote tribal areas.
Proposal for All India Institute of Ayurveda
Sai urged the Prime Minister to support the establishment of an All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in Chhattisgarh, proposing either Raipur or Bastar as the location.
The institute, if approved, is expected to strengthen Ayurvedic education, research and healthcare while promoting traditional systems of medicine in central India.
Bastar Vision: From Conflict Zone to Development Hub
Presenting the state’s “Bastar Vision” before the Prime Minister, Sai said the region has witnessed rapid transformation over the past few years.
He informed the Prime Minister that government welfare schemes are now reaching nearly 39 lakh people across 5,542 villages under initiatives such as Niyad Nella Nar 2.0 and Bastar Muhim.
According to the Chief Minister, flagship schemes including the Public Distribution System, Ayushman Bharat, Jan Dhan Yojana, Forest Rights Act implementation and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana are now benefiting even the remotest tribal communities.
421 Schools Reopened in Naxal-Affected Areas
Highlighting improvements in education, Sai said 421 schools that had remained shut in Left Wing Extremism-affected regions have been reopened.
He also informed the Prime Minister that Education Cities are being developed at Orchha and Jagargunda, modelled on the successful Dantewada Education City, to provide quality education to children from remote tribal regions.
Healthcare Expansion Across Bastar
The Chief Minister said more than 34 lakh people have undergone health screening under the Mukhyamantri Swasth Bastar Abhiyan, enabling them to access improved healthcare facilities.
He also highlighted that:
- A super-speciality hospital has become operational in Jagdalpur.
- A medical college is functioning in Geedam.
- The state is expanding its network of medical colleges and healthcare institutions across Bastar.
Major Infrastructure Projects Underway
Sai informed the Prime Minister that Bastar, once largely identified with Naxal violence, is witnessing significant improvements in road, rail, electricity and air connectivity.
Among the major projects highlighted were:
- Construction of the ₹3,513 crore Jagdalpur-Raoghat railway line.
- Expansion of regular commercial air services from Jagdalpur.
- Progress on the Raipur-Visakhapatnam Expressway.
- Proposed barrage on the Indravati River to provide irrigation to nearly 32,000 hectares of agricultural land.
Tourism and Cultural Promotion
The Chief Minister also spoke about Bastar’s rich cultural heritage and tourism potential.
He informed the Prime Minister that the state government is working to establish Bastar Dussehra as an internationally recognised tourism brand while promoting destinations such as Chitrakote Falls and Tirathgarh Fallson the global tourism map.
Sai added that participation of more than four lakh youth in the Bastar Olympics has contributed to strengthening peace, confidence and social harmony in the region.
₹8 Lakh Crore Investment Pipeline
The Chief Minister briefed the Prime Minister on Chhattisgarh’s industrial growth following the implementation of the Industrial Development Policy 2024–30.
According to Sai, the state has already received investment proposals worth nearly ₹8 lakh crore, with implementation beginning on many projects.
He said Chhattisgarh is attracting investments in several sunrise sectors, including:
- AI Data Centre Parks
- Semiconductor manufacturing
- Hyperscale data centres
- Global BPO units
- Garment manufacturing
- Chocolate processing
- Electronic equipment manufacturing
- Intraocular lens manufacturing
Sai also informed the Prime Minister that Chhattisgarh has secured the top position in NITI Aayog’s Investment Friendliness Index for its regulatory and institutional environment.
He highlighted that the state has enacted the Ease of Doing Business Act, 2026, describing it as the country’s first legislation to legally institutionalise risk-based regulation, self-certification and time-bound approvals.
Women Empowerment and AI Governance
Highlighting women-centric initiatives, the Chief Minister said Chhattisgarh has already exceeded its target by creating 10.42 lakh Lakhpati Didis and is now working towards making another 14 lakh women financially self-reliant.
Sai also invited Prime Minister Modi to attend the proposed Lakhpati Didi Sammelan in Raipur in 2027 as the chief guest.
He further informed the Prime Minister that the state is moving towards AI-enabled governance through a ₹500 crore State AI Mission, aimed at improving public service delivery and administrative efficiency.
Confident of Central Support
Concluding the meeting, Chief Minister Sai said Chhattisgarh has gained fresh momentum in development under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with the support of the Central Government.
He expressed confidence that the Centre would extend positive consideration to the state’s proposals, particularly those relating to Bastar’s transformation, infrastructure expansion and industrial growth.
