Chhattisgarh CM presents ‘Bastar 2.0’ blueprint to PM Modi, pitches jobs, infra and tourism push

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday pitched a comprehensive “Bastar 2.0” development blueprint to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, outlining an ambitious plan to transform the region through infrastructure, tourism, startups and innovation-led growth.During the meeting in New Delhi, the CM gave details of the roadmap focused on improving connectivity, expanding social infrastructure and boosting livelihoods. Under the plan, 228 new roads and 267 bridges are proposed, along with completion of pending works under the PMGSY by 2027. Proposals for 61 additional projects have been sent to the Centre seeking special assistance.The blueprint also targets universal electrification, expansion of primary healthcare facilities and construction of transit hostels for doctors in remote areas. In education, 45 existing ‘Porta Cabin’ schools will be upgraded into permanent buildings, while 15 stadiums and two multi-purpose halls are proposed to promote youth engagement.In irrigation, two projects on the Indravati river at Deurgaon and Matnar are expected to bring nearly 31,840 hectares under irrigation, strengthening the region’s agrarian base, officials in the govt said.A key focus of the plan is livelihood generation. The state aims to double household incomes within three years, targeting an increase in monthly earnings of a majority of families from Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000 by 2029.The CM said initiatives like ‘Niyad Nellanar 2.0’ would be expanded to more districts to ensure last-mile delivery of government services, while the ‘Bastar Munne’ (pioneering Bastar) programme would organise camps in every gram panchayat to provide on-the-spot access to welfare schemes and grievance redressal.To drive entrepreneurship, a dedicated startup policy under ‘Anjor Vision 2047’ aims to nurture 5,000 startups by 2030.Tourism will be another major pillar of the plan, with projects to upgrade key destinations such as Chitrakote and Tirathgarh waterfalls and Kanger Valley National Park. Adventure tourism initiatives like a canopy walk and glass bridge are also in the pipeline, along with cultural events such as Bastar Olympics and Bastar Pandum to reposition the region’s image.Officials said more than one lakh youth have already been trained under various skill programmes, with around 40,000 placed in jobs.CM Sai credited the Centre’s support for restoring peace in Bastar and said the region is now poised for a new phase of development. He also invited the Prime Minister to visit Bastar after the monsoon, stating that the proposed visit could fast-track key projects and mark the beginning of a “new growth phase”.Among the major projects proposed for launch during the PM's visit are the Rowghat–Jagdalpur railway line, expansion of Jagdalpur airport, a super-specialty hospital, a medical college in Dantewada and education hubs in Jagargunda and Orchha.CM said the vision builds on the idea of transforming Bastar into a hub of peace and progress, adding that with the decline of left wing extremism, the region is witnessing a shift from fear to opportunity.