Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi meets Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, detailed discussion on development of Chhattisgarh and Bastar Vision

Riyapur / Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament building today and discussed overall development of Chhattisgarh, the transformation of Bastar, and major infrastructure and industrial projects. The chief minister presented a roadmap for the changing Chhattisgarh and especially Bastar, seeking central assistance for three key projects. He highlighted that due to coordinated security, trust and development strategies, Bastar is undergoing a major change, moving from decades of Naxal violence to rapid progress in education, health, roads, rail, power, air connectivity, livelihood, sports and tourism, aiming to permanently integrate Bastar into mainstream development. He requested swift approval for the proposed ₹10,500 crore gas-based urea project in Rajnandgaon, noting land and state approvals are ready, which will improve fertilizer availability and boost industrial investment and employment. He sought special assistance to connect 461 villages in Bastar and other sensitive areas, previously lacking grid power, to permanent electricity supply to enhance education, health, communication and livelihood. He also asked for the establishment of an All India Institute of Ayurveda in Raipur or Bastar to leverage the region's rich medicinal plant heritage. He reported that schemes ‘Niyad Nella Nar 2.0’ and ‘Bastar Munne’ are reaching 5,542 villages, benefiting about 3.9 million people, ensuring delivery of ration, Ayushman Bharat, Jan Dhan accounts, forest rights, PM housing and other welfare schemes. He announced reopening of 421 previously closed schools in Naxal-affected areas and plans for Education Cities in Orcha and Jagrugunda, modeled after Dantewada. The ‘Chief Minister Healthy Bastar Campaign’ has screened over 3.4 million people for health checks and linked them to medical services, with expansion of super-specialty facilities in Jagdalpur and a medical college in Geedam. Connectivity improvements include the Jagdalpur–Ravgad rail line costing about ₹3,513 crore, regular air services expansion, progress on the Raipur–Visakhapatnam expressway, and the proposed Baraj irrigation project on the Indravati River that will irrigate about 32,000 hectares. Efforts are underway to promote Bastar Dussehra as a global tourism brand, enhancing sites like Chitrakote and Tirathgarh. More than 400,000 youths participated in the Bastar Olympics, fostering peace and confidence. The state has received investment proposals worth around ₹8 lakh crore following the Industrial Development Policy 2024‑30, including AI data centre parks, semiconductors, hyper‑scale data centres, global BPOs, garments, chocolate manufacturing, electronics and intra‑ocular lens production. Chhattisgarh has topped the Investment Friendliness Index for regulatory ease and institutional environment, supported by the Chhattisgarh Ease of Doing Business Act‑2026. The ‘Lakshmi Didi’ scheme has empowered 10.42 lakh women, with a target to empower 14 lakh more. The chief minister invited Prime Minister Modi to be chief guest at the proposed Lakshmi Didi Conference in 2027 in Raipur. A ₹500 crore state AI mission is driving AI‑based good governance across sectors. The state maintains fiscal discipline while increasing revenue, with GST growth of 18% and record mineral revenue from the first tin and lithium block auctions. Digital initiatives such as Service Setu portal offering 528 services across 36 departments, 1076 helpline, automated land registry with Aadhaar and video KYC have enhanced citizen‑centric governance. The chief minister reaffirmed commitment to ensure development reaches the last village and citizen, positioning Chhattisgarh as a model of peace, prosperity and potential.