The Chhattisgarh Government as well as the Centre have taken a number of steps in the last few years for the development of the state. As the Assembly election is approaching, we bring you some of the areas where the state has developed or is looking for further progress.
Inauguration of projects
State Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel had recently launched or laid the foundation for a total of 7,300 projects worth Rs 6,080 crore in 26 districts of Chhattisgarh. As per the state government, Baghel inaugurated 3,978 development works at an estimated cost of Rs 2,668 crore, and laid foundations for 3,322 projects, at an estimated cost of Rs 3,411 crore. Among the projects he inaugurated include an ethanol plant in Kabirdham district, which has been built at the estimated cost of Rs 2,668 crore. The plant has been built at a cost of Rs 141 crore under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) by Bhoramdeo Shahkari Shakkar Karkhana Maryadit (BSSKM) and NKJ Biofuel Ltd.’
In July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for eight projects worth a total cost of Rs 7,600 crore in Raipur.
Urban development
The state government has started a number of facilities in Chhattisgarh. Among them include new schemes for entrepreneurship and employment in the state. Among them is the construction of Mahatma Gandhi Urban Industrial Park in as many as 44 municipal councils and 14 municipal corporations across the state. The state government is looking to provide more employment and entrepreneurship through this park.
The State Planning Commission constituted a Taskforce on Urban Development and Management with the aim of reviewing the current scenario of urban development for sustainable urbanization. The task force consists of various professionals from a number of urban development disciplines.
Rural Development
In September, the state government announced that houses would be distributed in rural areas to nearly 47,000 poor people in Chhatisgarh in the first phase of the Mukhyamantri Gramin Awas NYAY Yojana. This comes after the state government was to implement the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in 2021, but could not be implemented. Earlier this year, the state government also conducted a socio-economic survey, in which it was found that close to 10,76,545 families live in kutcha houses. Under this scheme, beneficiaries living in remote areas will get financial aid of Rs 1.30 lakh, and those living in plain areas will receive financial aid of Rs 1.20 lakh.
Clean water supply
The Ministry of Jal Shakti had recently praised the Chhattisgarh Government for the progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission in the state. The state government has so far provided household tap connections in order to supply clean drinking water to over 25 lakh rural families. It is noteworthy that the Maoist-infested district of Narayanpur has been honoured by the Centre for its excellent work Jal Jeevan Survey 2023 under the Aspirational District Programme. The Centre had set the target of providing a safe drinking water supply to 30 thousand 322 families for district administration. It successfully covered 18 thousand 72 families. There are a total of 14 villages in the district, with each of them getting tap connections.
Highways
Chhattisgarh has seen a huge growth in the highway sector in recent times. In July this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for s 2.8-kilometre tunnel with 27 animal passes and 17 monkey canopies in the state. The tunnel was built in order to ensure unrestricted wildlife movement near Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary. The PM also laid the foundation stone for three national highway projects on the six-lane greenfield Raipur-Visakhapatnam corridor. According to the state’s Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Ravindra Choubey, Chhatisgarh is among the leading states in the country in terms of maintenance and renovation of roads that are constructed under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Close to 8193 roads in the state with a length of 40,234 km have been completed since the scheme was introduced.
Rail connections
In a major development, Indian Railways 100 percent electrified the Broad Gauge network of the state. The step has been taken in line with setting the target to achieve Net Zero Carbon Emitter by 2030. The Indian Railways will also sanction a new Broad Gauge network along with electrification. Among various railway projects inaugurated in the state in recent times, PM Modi inaugurated a railway project worth Rs 6,350 crore. It is expected to boost socio-economic development in the region.