Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai launches 3-year action plan to rebuild Bastar, says Maoism near decisive end

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday said that Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in the state has reached a “decisive” end stage. He stressed that sustained dialogue with the people of Bastar, rapid expansion of basic services, and visible development on the ground are key to ensuring the violent ideology “never raises its head again.”

CM Sai announced that a broad three-year action plan for Bastar’s development will be drawn up and implemented in “mission mode.”

Chairing a high-level review meeting on Tuesday on the “comprehensive development” of Bastar, Sai said the government’s primary responsibility is to ensure that “Naxalism’s violent ideology never resurfaces.”




He added that this would be achieved by strengthening public trust through constant engagement with local communities, accelerating development work, and extending basic facilities to the remotest areas of Bastar.

“The clear goal of the double-engine government is the holistic and balanced development of Bastar,” he said. CM Sai directed all departments to work in close coordination and asked secretaries to regularly tour Bastar to review on-ground progress of schemes, rather than relying solely on files and presentations.

Alongside security operations, Sai said there must be a rapid expansion of essential services such as education, healthcare, employment, roads, drinking water, electricity, and communications “so that the light of development reaches the farthest habitations and people’s faith in governance is strengthened.”

The meeting conducted a detailed review of drinking water supply, electrification, and mobile connectivity in the division.

Sai instructed officials to ensure sustainable solutions for fluoride-affected areas by switching to surface water sources rather than relying on contaminated or unreliable groundwater. He directed the energy department to complete electrification of the remaining unelectrified villages as soon as possible.

The chief minister also emphasised 100% Aadhaar coverage, especially for children, and directed that special campaigns be run to ensure every eligible child is enrolled.

Sai called for promoting homestay models to involve local communities directly in tourism income, developing identified sites under the Centre’s Swadesh Darshan scheme, and creating a dedicated “Bastar Tourism Corridor.” He said youth should be linked to tourism-based livelihoods through training and support.