Milk, Irrigation, Jobs and Prosperity: CM Vishnu Deo Sai Unveils New Bastar Development Roadmap at NITI Aayog

Chhattisgarh outlines a comprehensive Bastar development agenda presented to NITI Aayog, prioritising income growth, dairy-based livelihoods, large-scale irrigation, digital health, and tourism and entrepreneurship to empower tribal communities and rural families.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai presented an ambitious roadmap for transforming Bastar into a hub of economic growth, employment, tourism, and agriculture-led development during the 11th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Highlighting the vision of a Naxalism-free and economically empowered Bastar, the Chief Minister said the region, once affected by decades of violence, is now moving towards a new era of development and prosperity.

CM Sai announced that the state government has set a target to increase the monthly income of families in Bastar to ₹30,000 within the next three years. Currently, nearly 85 percent of families in the region earn less than ₹15,000 per month.

He said the government is focusing on agriculture, animal husbandry, forest produce, small-scale industries, and welfare schemes to improve the economic condition of tribal and rural families.

Dairy Revolution Planned in Bastar

The Chief Minister said a large-scale dairy development model is being implemented in Bastar. Under the initiative, tribal families will be provided with milch cows and buffaloes to create sustainable livelihood opportunities.

He added that the project will not only generate employment for women and youth but also strengthen dairy centers, milk collection systems, transportation, and local markets in the region.

₹2,000 Crore Irrigation Push

CM Sai informed that irrigation projects worth more than ₹2,000 crore are being launched to expand irrigation facilities across 32,000 hectares of farmland.

He said year-round water availability in the Indravati river region will help farmers increase agricultural production and diversify into vegetables, fruits, and other cash crops apart from paddy cultivation.

Digital Health and Welfare Services

To improve healthcare services in remote regions, the government is creating digital health profiles for nearly 36 lakh people. The initiative will help maintain treatment records and provide timely medical information to doctors.

The Chief Minister also said that nearly 200 security camps in Bastar are being transformed into "Seva Dera" service hubs. These centers will provide villagers access to 371 government schemes, including ration, pension, Ayushman cards, banking, healthcare, and education services under one roof.

Tourism to Become Major Employment Driver

CM Sai said the government is developing Chitrakot and Sirpur into world-class tourism destinations. Activities such as water sports, adventure tourism, jungle safaris, meditation centers, museums, and riverfront development are being promoted.

He said tourism has the potential to generate large-scale employment opportunities for hotel workers, transport operators, guides, artisans, shopkeepers, and local entrepreneurs.

Investment, Technology and Education in Focus

The Chief Minister said Chhattisgarh has implemented 435 reforms to strengthen ease of doing business and create an investment-friendly environment. Two semiconductor units are also being established in the state. He informed that Education Cities are being developed in Abujhmad and Jagargunda at a cost of ₹100 crore. In addition, 341 PM SHRI schools, 5,857 smart classrooms, and bilingual books in 16 local languages are being introduced to improve education quality.

Digital Governance and Startup Missions

More than 33 lakh farmers have been connected to digital services under the AgriStack scheme, while government services are being streamlined through platforms like Digital Dwar and the Atal Monitoring Portal. CM Sai said the state government has launched several missions related to AI, tourism, sports, infrastructure, and startups to create employment opportunities and position Chhattisgarh among the leading states in innovation and investment.

Export Growth and Green Industries

The Chief Minister said industries related to sports equipment, semiconductors, electronics, bio-ethanol, garments, and textiles are expanding rapidly in the state, generating new employment opportunities. He also highlighted the success of the One District-One Product (ODOP) scheme, under which local products are reaching national and international markets. Chhattisgarh recorded exports worth ₹761.76 crore till February 2026 in the current financial year, with aromatic rice contributing significantly to the export growth. CM Sai said the state government is committed to building a developed Chhattisgarh aligned with the vision of "Viksit Bharat 2047."