Bastar: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai met Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan and urged the Centre to introduce special provisions under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-IV) to improve road connectivity in the remote and inaccessible areas of the Bastar division.
The Chief Minister said Bastar’s unique geographical conditions require greater flexibility under the rural road scheme so that more remote villages can be connected with all-weather roads.
The meeting was attended by Chhattisgarh Home Minister Vijay Sharma, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, and the Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary Subodh Singh. During the discussion, Home Minister Vijay Sharma briefed the Union Minister on the progress of rural development, infrastructure expansion, and various development initiatives being implemented across the state.
CM Seeks Special PMGSY-IV Relaxation for Bastar
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai explained that many villages in Bastar are located deep inside forests, hilly terrain, and geographically challenging regions, making road connectivity difficult under the existing PMGSY-IV guidelines.
At present, the scheme considers habitations located within a 500-metre radius as a single cluster. According to the Chief Minister, this criterion excludes many small and scattered villages in Bastar from receiving road connectivity.
To address this issue, Sai requested the Centre to grant Bastar a special relaxation similar to Arunachal Pradesh, where habitations within a 10-kilometre radius are treated as one cluster. He said such a provision would enable many more remote villages to benefit from the PMGSY-IV scheme.
Better Roads Key to Development and Security in Bastar
The Chief Minister said Bastar is gradually emerging from the challenges posed by Left Wing Extremism and is moving rapidly towards development.
He emphasized that improved road infrastructure would play a crucial role in connecting people with:
- Education
- Healthcare
- Agriculture
- Employment opportunities
- Government welfare schemes
Sai said roads are not merely a means of transportation but also the foundation of development, security, and prosperity. He urged the Union Government to approve the proposal on a priority basis, keeping Bastar’s unique geographical conditions in mind.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan Assures Positive Consideration
Union Rural Development and Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan gave a patient hearing to the Chief Minister’s proposal and assured him that the Centre would examine the request positively.
He said the Central Government is committed to the development of remote and tribal regions like Bastar and will take the necessary steps after reviewing the proposal.
Union Minister Praises Chhattisgarh’s Rural Development Efforts
During the meeting, Shivraj Singh Chouhan appreciated the Chhattisgarh Government’s work in rural development and infrastructure creation.
He specifically praised the implementation of the Jiramji Yojana, under which projects such as:
- Cremation ground (Muktidham) development
- Toilet construction
are being carried out effectively across the state.
The Union Minister also commended the state’s performance under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), noting that nearly 1,500 houses are being constructed every day, describing it as a significant achievement.
Centre and State Aim to Accelerate Bastar’s Development
Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed confidence that close coordination between the Central and Chhattisgarh governments would further accelerate development projects across Bastar and the rest of the state.
The proposed relaxation under PMGSY-IV, if approved, is expected to significantly improve road connectivity in remote tribal villages, making essential public services and economic opportunities more accessible to thousands of residents.
