Raipur, July 31, 2026: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai today met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Parliament House and discussed in detail the overall development of Chhattisgarh, the rejuvenation of Bastar, and key infrastructure and industrial projects in the state.
Chief Minister Sai presented a roadmap for a transforming Chhattisgarh, particularly Bastar, to Prime Minister Modi, and requested the central government’s support for three key projects in the state.
Sai stated that Bastar is undergoing a comprehensive transformation as a result of a coordinated strategy of security, trust, and development. After facing Naxalite violence and development challenges for decades, the region is now rapidly progressing in the areas of education, health, road, rail, electricity, air connectivity, livelihoods, sports, and tourism.
He stated that the state government’s goal is to make this transformation permanent and fully integrate Bastar into the mainstream of development.
The Chief Minister requested the Prime Minister to expedite the approval of the proposed gas-based urea project worth approximately Rs 10,500 crore in Rajnandgaon.
He stated that the necessary land for the project has been made available and the necessary approvals at the state government level have been completed.
Sai stated that the establishment of this project will improve the availability of fertilizers for farmers in Chhattisgarh and surrounding areas. It will also boost industrial investment, direct and indirect employment, and allied economic activities in the state.
The Chief Minister also raised with the Prime Minister the issue of 461 villages in sensitive areas, including Bastar, where electricity supply has previously been impossible due to security and geographical reasons and where electricity is currently being provided through off-grid means.
He requested special support from the Central Government to connect these villages to a stable power grid. Sai stated that a stable power supply will accelerate the expansion of education, health, communication, livelihoods, and small enterprises in these areas, strengthening the development process in remote areas.
Chief Minister Sai requested Prime Minister Modi to take a positive action on the proposal to establish the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in Raipur or Bastar. He stated that Chhattisgarh, especially Bastar and other tribal areas, have a rich heritage of medicinal plants and traditional medical knowledge. The establishment of a national-level Ayurveda institute will open up new opportunities for medicine, research, education, and a local economy based on medicinal plants.
The Chief Minister, while presenting a detailed overview of the “Bastar Vision” to the Prime Minister, explained that through “Niyad Nella Nar 2.0” and “Bastar Munne,” government schemes and services are being comprehensively implemented in 5,542 villages of the Bastar division, benefiting approximately 3.9 million people.
Sai stated that special emphasis is being placed on ensuring that various public welfare schemes of the Central and State governments, including ration, Ayushman Bharat, Jan Dhan accounts, forest rights, and Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme, reach the last person. The increased reach of the administration in remote and previously highly vulnerable villages has strengthened trust in the government.
Informing the Prime Minister about the transformation in the field of education in Bastar, the Chief Minister informed him that 421 schools, which had been closed for years in formerly Naxal-affected areas, have been reopened. Schools have now resumed in villages where access to regular education was once a major challenge for children.
He informed that the state government is also working towards developing new education cities in Orchha and Jagargunda, modeled after Dantewada. The aim is to provide quality education, residential facilities, and better opportunities for competitive examinations to children from remote and tribal areas.
Providing information on the expansion of health facilities, Sai stated that under the “Chief Minister’s Healthy Bastar Campaign,” over 3.4 million people have undergone health checkups so far and have been connected to medical services as needed. He stated that medical infrastructure in Bastar is being continuously expanded. Medical education and health services in the region are being strengthened through the expansion of super-specialty medical facilities in Jagdalpur and the medical college in Geedam. The state government is also rapidly progressing towards the development of new medical colleges and modern health infrastructure.
The Chief Minister stated that connectivity is the most important foundation for Bastar’s sustainable development. To this end, road, rail, power, and air connectivity are being rapidly expanded.
He informed the Prime Minister that work on the Jagdalpur-Raoghat railway line project, costing approximately Rs 3,513 crore, is progressing. This rail link will provide a new impetus to Bastar’s economic and social development. Important initiatives are also being taken to expand regular air services from Jagdalpur.
Sai also briefed the Prime Minister on the progress of the final phase of the Raipur-Visakhapatnam Expressway and the proposed barrage project on the Indravati River.
The Chief Minister stated that the barrage project will provide irrigation facilities to approximately 32,000 hectares, significantly benefiting the region’s farmers and agriculture-based economy.
Sai, while highlighting Bastar’s unique tribal culture, traditions, and tourism potential, stated that planned efforts are underway to establish Bastar Dussehra as a global tourism brand. Infrastructure and facilities are being expanded to further highlight world-class natural tourist destinations like Chitrakoot and Tirathgarh on the national and international tourism map.
He stated that Bastar’s development is being carried out while preserving its unique cultural identity and nature, so that the benefits of development reach local communities and new employment and livelihood opportunities are created.
The Chief Minister stated that the participation of over 400,000 youth in the Bastar Olympics has created a new energy and positive environment throughout the region. Sports have provided a platform for youth to showcase their talents, strengthening peace, trust, and social participation.
The Chief Minister stated that today, Bastar’s new identity is being forged through sports, culture, education, tourism, entrepreneurship, and development.
Sai also briefed Modi on the rapidly changing industrial landscape in the state. He stated that since the implementation of the Industrial Development Policy 2024-30, Chhattisgarh has received investment proposals worth approximately Rs 8 lakh crore. The implementation process for several of these projects has already begun.
He explained that industrial development in Chhattisgarh is being shifted beyond traditional sectors to sectors aligned with the future economy. For the first time in the state, investments are coming in new sectors like AI data center park, semiconductor, hyperscale data center, global BPO, garment, chocolate manufacturing, electronic equipment and intraocular lens manufacturing.
The Chief Minister said that these investments will not only diversify the state’s economy but will also create large-scale employment and skill development opportunities for the youth.
Sai said that as a result of efforts to develop a transparent, simple and reliable system for investors, Chhattisgarh has established a strong identity at the national level. Chhattisgarh has been ranked first in the country in the field of regulatory ease and institutional environment in the Investment Friendliness Index of NITI Aayog.
Introducing the Chhattisgarh Ease of Doing Business Act-2026, he said that the state has provided a legal basis for risk-based regulatory framework, self-certification, and time-bound permissions for industries and entrepreneurs. This provides investors with a system based on certainty, transparency, and accountability.
Detailing the state’s achievements in the field of women’s empowerment, the Chief Minister stated that Chhattisgarh has surpassed the target set, making 10.42 lakh women “Lakhpati Didi.” The state government is now working towards making 14 lakh more women economically self-reliant in the next phase.
Sai, while informing about the proposed “Lakhpati Didi Conference” in Raipur in 2027, invited Prime Minister Modi to attend it as the chief guest.
The Chief Minister said that Chhattisgarh is rapidly progressing towards artificial intelligence-based good governance through the Rs 500 crore State AI Mission. In addition to making government services more effective, transparent, and citizen-centric, work is being done to explore the potential use of AI in various sectors, including education, health, agriculture, and administration.
He also apprised Modi of the state’s strengthening financial position and revenue growth. He stated that Chhattisgarh has achieved a significant reduction in fiscal and revenue deficits by effectively balancing financial discipline and public welfare. GST revenue in the state has increased by 18 per cent, while mineral revenue has also recorded a record increase. Highlighting new opportunities in the mineral sector, the Chief Minister stated that Chhattisgarh has achieved significant success by auctioning the country’s first tin block and lithium block.
The Chief Minister stated that the state government is continuously improving its governance initiatives, driving technology-driven, transparent, and citizen-centric governance. Through the Seva Setu portal, 528 services from 36 departments have been made available online, reducing the need for citizens to visit offices for government services and enabling timely resolution of millions of applications. A system for quick resolution and effective monitoring of citizen complaints has also been developed through the Chief Minister’s Helpline 1076.
Sai stated that comprehensive digital reforms have been implemented in revenue administration, including the implementation of automatic name transfers along with the registry. The convenience of doorstep registration through Aadhaar and video KYC has simplified and facilitated the entire process. He stated that the primary objective of these reforms is to bring governance closer to citizens and make government services more seamless, transparent, and accountable.
He stated that under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi and the continued support of the Central Government, the pace of development in Chhattisgarh has accelerated. In line with the Prime Minister’s vision of a “Developed India,” the State Government is working with full commitment to building a “Developed Chhattisgarh.” The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the State’s important proposals, ranging from the overall rejuvenation of Bastar to agriculture, health, energy, and industrial development, will receive positive support from the Central Government.
Sai said that the state government is determined to ensure that this journey of development reaches the last village and the last person in Chhattisgarh and that Chhattisgarh, once known for its challenges, is established as a new model of peace, prosperity and possibilities.
