New Delhi, 31 July (H.S.): Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Parliament House on Friday and discussed various issues related to the state’s development. Presenting a comprehensive roadmap for the overall development of Bastar, the Chief Minister sought the Centre’s support for the proposed gas-based urea plant in Rajnandgaon, establishment of an All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in Raipur or Bastar, and providing permanent electricity connectivity to 461 villages affected by Left-Wing Extremism.

During the meeting, Chief Minister Sai requested the Prime Minister to expedite approval for the proposed gas-based urea plant in Rajnandgaon, estimated to cost Rs 10,500 crore. He informed that land for the project has already been made available and all necessary approvals from the state government have been completed. He said the project would benefit farmers and accelerate industrial growth in the region.

The Chief Minister also sought special assistance from the Centre to provide permanent electricity supply to 461 villages that have so far remained disconnected from the national power grid due to security concerns. He further urged the Prime Minister to positively consider the proposal for establishing an All India Institute of Ayurveda either in Raipur or Bastar.

During the meeting, Sai presented details of the ‘Bastar Vision’ initiative and said that through ‘Niyad Nellanar 2.0’ and the ‘Bastar Campaign’, various government schemes are being effectively implemented across 5,542 villages of the Bastar division, benefiting nearly 39 lakh people. He informed that 421 schools that had remained closed in Naxal-affected areas have been reopened, while new education cities are being developed in Orchha and Jagargunda.

Highlighting developments in the healthcare sector, the Chief Minister said that more than 34 lakh people have been screened under the ‘Mukhyamantri Swasth Bastar Abhiyan’. He added that a super-speciality hospital is operational in Jagdalpur and a medical college has been established in Geedam, while healthcare infrastructure in the region is being expanded further.

Sai informed the Prime Minister that road, rail, electricity and air connectivity in Bastar are witnessing rapid development. The construction of the Jagdalpur-Rawghat railway line, estimated at Rs 3,513 crore, is underway, while projects such as the Raipur-Visakhapatnam Expressway and the proposed barrage project on the Indravati River are expected to improve connectivity and irrigation facilities in the region.

The Chief Minister said efforts are underway to give global tourism recognition to Bastar Dussehra and develop destinations such as Chitrakote and Tirathgarh at an international level. He added that the participation of more than four lakh youths in the Bastar Olympics has helped create a new atmosphere of peace and confidence in the region.

During the meeting, Sai also apprised the Prime Minister about the progress of industrial investment in the state. He said that after the implementation of the Industrial Development Policy 2024-30, Chhattisgarh has received investment proposals worth nearly Rs 8 lakh crore. Work has already begun on new projects, including an AI data centre park, semiconductor plant, hyperscale data centre, global BPO facilities and electronics manufacturing units.

The Chief Minister informed that Chhattisgarh has secured the top position in the country in terms of regulatory and institutional environment in the NITI Aayog’s Investment Friendliness Index. He also highlighted initiatives such as the Ease of Doing Business Act-2026, the Rs 500 crore State AI Mission, Seva Setu Portal, Chief Minister Helpline 1076 and various online citizen services implemented by the state government.

Speaking about women empowerment initiatives, Sai said that 10.42 lakh women in the state have already been transformed into ‘Lakhpati Didis’, and the government aims to make another 14 lakh women financially self-reliant in the next phase. He also invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the proposed ‘Lakhpati Didi Conference’ in Raipur in 2027 as the chief guest.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar