Bastar demands road construction on Arunachal model, Chief Minister Sai appeals to Centre

Arunachal model demand for road construction in Bastar, Chief Minister Sai appealed to the Centre PMGSY‑IV proposal for special 10 km cluster arrangement, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan gave positive assurance New Delhi. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai today met Union Rural Development and Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan and urged special provisions in the Prime Minister’s Rural Road Scheme (PMGSY‑IV) to strengthen road connectivity to the remote and difficult areas of Bastar division. Present in the meeting were the state Home Minister Shri Vijay Sharma, the Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India and the Chief Minister’s principal secretary Shri Subodh Singh. During the meeting Home Minister Shri Vijay Sharma briefed the Union Minister on rural development, expansion of basic infrastructure and progress of various state development schemes in the state, including Bastar. Chief Minister Shri Sai said many villages in Bastar are located in dense forests, hills and difficult geographical conditions. Under the present Prime Minister’s Rural Road Scheme only habitations within a 500‑metre radius are considered a cluster. Because of this rule many small and remote villages in Bastar are left without road facilities. He appealed that, similar to Arunachal Pradesh, a special permission be granted to treat habitations within a 10‑kilometre radius as a cluster in Bastar, so that as many villages as possible can be linked to road connectivity. The Chief Minister said Bastar is moving rapidly on the path of development after emerging from a phase of Naxalism. At such a time, better road connectivity will be the most effective means to link the people of the region to education, health, agriculture, employment and government schemes. He said roads are not only a means of travel but also the foundation of development, security and prosperity. Therefore, considering Bastar’s special geographical conditions, this proposal should be approved on a priority basis. Union Rural Development and Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan listened to the Chief Minister’s proposal seriously and gave assurance of positive consideration. He said the central government is working with full sensitivity for the development of remote and tribal areas like Bastar and necessary action will be taken on the state’s proposal. During the meeting the Union Minister praised the work being done by the Chhattisgarh government in the field of rural development. He said that under the Giraamji scheme, works such as free zones and toilet construction are being carried out effectively. He also praised the better implementation of the Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme, stating that about 1,500 houses are being built daily in the state, which is a notable achievement. He expressed confidence that coordinated efforts of the centre and state governments will accelerate development work across Bastar and the whole of Chhattisgarh.