Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], September 25 (HBTV): Bastar, once known for neglect and deprivation, is now emerging as a hub of investment, opportunity, and employment. The region is witnessing growth in industry, education, health, agriculture, and tourism, reshaping its identity and building a stronger future for Chhattisgarh.
According to the release, railway projects worth INR 5,200 crore have been approved. These include the new Raoghat-Jagdalpur rail line (INR 3,513.11 crore) and the doubling of the Kottavalasa-Kirandul (KK) rail line. The projects will create large-scale employment and industrial opportunities for local youth, enhance trade and tourism, and support efforts to eliminate left-wing extremism.
Road development projects worth INR 2,300 crore have also been sanctioned. A new route from Dhamtari-Kanker-Kondagaon to Jagdalpur will connect Kanker, Antagarh, Narayanpur's Abujhmad, Dantewada's Barsur, and Bijapur. Additional road links between Jagdalpur and Sukma, extending to Bijapur, will improve connectivity and accelerate delivery of development schemes across all seven districts of Bastar.
The National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) has committed INR 43,000 crore. Alongside, a Super Speciality Hospital worth INR 200 crore is being established to strengthen healthcare infrastructure. Private investments, nearly INR 1,000 crore, are expected in services and MSMEs, further boosting employment.
Healthcare expansion includes a 350-bed multi-speciality hospital and medical college in Jagdalpur with INR 550 crore investment, creating 200 jobs. Additional projects include a multi-speciality hospital worth INR 33 crore and a 200-bed hospital by Navbharat Institute of Medical Sciences with INR 85 crore investment.
Modern rice mills, food processing units, wellness centres, dairy farms, brick and stone-crusher industries, and warehousing projects are being established. Shankara Latex Industries is setting up a INR 40 crore surgical gloves unit, generating 150 jobs.
Through government schemes like PMFME, PMEGP, and state industrial grants, financial support exceeding INR 1.4 crore has been extended to local entrepreneurs. Proposed investments across sectors amount to INR 967 crore, benefiting over 2,100 people.
Bastar is also seeing growth in tourism, construction, and traditional crafts. The region is being promoted as an ‘investment destination’, with plans for a cement plant and ancillary industries in steel, iron, and fabrication.
Under Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Bastar is moving toward peace and development. In the past 20 months, his visits to over 100 locations have brought roads, education, health, and communication to remote areas through the Niyad Nella Naar scheme. Initiatives include Aadhaar and Ayushman card distribution, mobile towers, ration cards, sub-health centres, banks in villages, and reopening of schools.
The state’s rehabilitation policy offers surrendered Naxals financial aid, land, vocational training, and double reward incentives for group surrenders. Over 15,000 houses have been sanctioned under PM Awas Yojana for surrendered Naxals and violence-affected families.
Support for farmers has increased with tendu leaf procurement rates raised to INR 5,500 per standard bag, directly benefiting 52 lakh collectors. Training programmes under the Mukhyamantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana have provided skills to over 90,000 youths, with nearly 40,000 securing jobs.
Security operations have intensified since December 2023, resulting in 453 Naxals killed, 1,611 arrested, and 1,636 surrendered. Over 65 new security camps have been set up in 20 months, expanding safety across remote villages.
The state government has set a target to eradicate Naxalism by March 2026. The Chhattisgarh Industrial Policy 2024-30, with special incentives for mega-projects and SC/ST entrepreneurs, is promoting investment, innovation, and entrepreneurship while preserving Bastar’s tribal heritage and cultural identity. Tourism has been granted industry status, with subsidies of up to 45% for hotels, eco-tourism, and wellness projects.
The policy also includes a 40% wage subsidy for firms employing surrendered Naxals, ensuring inclusive growth. With INR 52,000 crore in overall commitments, Bastar is fast becoming a new centre of industrial and socio-economic transformation.
(ANI)