Dantewada (Chhattisgarh) [India], June 29 (HBTV): In a major push for development in the Bastar region, the Chhattisgarh government has announced the revival of the Bodhghat irrigation project under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.

Planned on the Indravati River in Dantewada district, the project aims to provide permanent irrigation and generate electricity for the rural areas of Dantewada, Bijapur, and Sukma districts. The initiative is expected to transform agriculture and stimulate economic activity across the region.

The project, with an estimated cost of INR 49,000 crore, is set to be one of the most significant infrastructure undertakings in the state.

Speaking to ANI, Bhairamgarh Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Pradeep Kumar Dongre said, ‘Restarting this scheme will be a welcome step because it will irrigate about 3.5 lakh hectares in Sukma, Bijapur, and Dantewada districts and produce electricity.’

He added, ‘If a farmer’s land, house, or agricultural area comes in the submergence area, the government will compensate for it... Therefore, the farmers should not oppose this scheme because it will be a big scheme for Chhattisgarh.’

Local businessman Narendra Nag highlighted the broader economic benefits of the initiative. ‘This could be a good initiative if the government implements this project honestly. This will provide electricity to the entire region, employment will increase, there is also a plan for fisheries, and the area under irrigation will increase... Local citizens and businessmen will also benefit from this...,’ he told ANI.

Earlier, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai had underscored the vast potential of the tourism sector in Chhattisgarh, especially in Bastar and Surguja regions. He reiterated the government’s commitment to eliminating Naxalism to enable development and generate employment.

‘There was immense potential in the tourism sector in Chhattisgarh, especially in Bastar and Surguja... but the biggest hurdle was Naxalism, which the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister had resolved to eliminate... We were looking at tourism as an industry, that is, the provisions that were being given to the industrial sector would also be extended to the tourism sector, and a complete roadmap was being prepared for this,’ CM Sai said while addressing the media.

(ANI)