Chhattisgarh NEWS : In a significant push for infrastructure and sustainable development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone, initiated work, and inaugurated multiple projects worth over ₹33,700 crore in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. Marking the New Year and the first day of Navratri, he underscored Chhattisgarh’s cultural heritage, referring to it as the land of Mata Mahamaya and Mata Kaushalya’s maternal home. He expressed pride in being present in the state on this auspicious occasion and highlighted the recent issuance of a postal stamp in honor of Bhakt Shiromani Mata Karma.
With the blessings of Mohbhatta Swayambhu Shivling Mahadev, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of these projects in improving housing, roads, railways, electricity, and gas infrastructure while generating employment. Notably, three lakh poor families in Chhattisgarh are receiving new homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, a commitment fulfilled under the new leadership. He highlighted that most homes are registered in women’s names, empowering them financially and socially.
PM Modi also acknowledged how housing projects are boosting local employment by engaging artisans, masons, and small businesses. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fulfilling promises, including paying pending bonuses to paddy farmers and increasing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce. He criticized past administrations for corruption and recruitment scams, contrasting them with his government’s transparent policies that have earned public trust and electoral success.
As Chhattisgarh marks its 25th year of statehood, the Prime Minister linked ongoing infrastructure projects to the state’s Silver Jubilee celebrations and the birth centenary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He criticized previous governments for neglecting development in the region, leading to its backwardness, and assured that his administration prioritizes delivering progress to every village.
Highlighting infrastructure improvements in remote tribal areas, he mentioned new roads, train services, electricity, and mobile connectivity. He noted Chhattisgarh’s achievement in becoming one of the first states with a fully electrified railway network and emphasized ongoing ₹40,000 crore rail projects, including ₹7,000 crore allocated in the latest budget. He condemned past inefficiencies that led to power shortages despite the state’s rich coal reserves and emphasized his government’s efforts to set up new power plants and enhance energy security.
The Prime Minister also launched initiatives promoting clean energy, including the ‘PM Suryagarh Muft Bijli Yojana,’ which offers ₹78,000 assistance per household for solar panel installation. Over two lakh families in Chhattisgarh have already registered for this scheme. Additionally, he laid the foundation for gas pipeline projects to enhance energy accessibility and promote CNG usage, reducing dependency on expensive truck-based fuel transportation.
PM Modi strongly criticized previous governments for allowing Naxalism to thrive due to a lack of development and resources. In contrast, his administration has prioritized uplifting tribal communities, launching schemes like ‘Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Utkarsh Abhiyan’ with an investment of ₹80,000 crore in tribal areas. He highlighted the ‘PM Janman Yojana,’ specifically designed for vulnerable tribal groups, under which thousands of settlements are being developed and 2,500 kilometers of new roads are being built in Chhattisgarh.
He noted significant progress in healthcare, including national recognition for Sukma district’s health center and the reopening of medical facilities in conflict-affected regions. He praised the state’s implementation of the New Education Policy, emphasizing the establishment of 350 PM Shri Schools and the new Vidya Samiksha Kendra to enhance learning outcomes. He also inaugurated initiatives for medical and engineering education in Hindi to remove language barriers for rural and tribal students.
PM Modi reiterated the government’s vision to make Chhattisgarh one of the leading states by its 50th anniversary, ensuring that every family benefits from development initiatives. He concluded by assuring that no effort will be spared in achieving this goal.
The event saw the presence of Governor Ramen Deka, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Union Ministers Manohar Lal and Tokhan Sahu, Speaker Raman Singh, and other dignitaries.
Background
PM Modi’s commitment to strengthening India’s power sector was reinforced with the foundation stone of NTPC’s Sipat Super Thermal Power Project (₹9,790 crore) and the first Super Critical Thermal Power Project of CSPGCL (₹15,800 crore). He also inaugurated three POWERGRID transmission projects worth ₹560 crore.
Furthering clean energy goals, he launched the Bharat Petroleum City Gas Distribution project across four districts with over 1,000 km of pipelines and multiple CNG outlets (₹1,285 crore), alongside the Visakh-Raipur multiproduct pipeline (₹2,210 crore).
For improved connectivity, he laid the foundation for seven railway projects (108 km) and dedicated three completed railway projects (111 km) worth ₹2,690 crore. He flagged off a new MEMU train service and marked 100% electrification of Chhattisgarh’s rail network.
Under road infrastructure initiatives, he dedicated upgraded highways and laid foundations for new road projects worth ₹1,270 crore to enhance connectivity in tribal and industrial areas.
He also launched two major education initiatives—130 PM Shri Schools across 29 districts and a Vidya Samiksha Kendra in Raipur—to improve education access and quality.
In a major boost to housing, he celebrated the Griha Pravesh of three lakh beneficiaries under PMAY-G, handing over keys to several new homeowners.