Major Leap in Development in Bastar's Forest Areas

Hundreds of construction works approved in Antagarh Gram Panchayats, PM Awas houses also in abundance The face of remote areas is being transformed with funds from 15th Finance, DMF, Bastar Development Authority and MLA funds among other sources. Raipur, May 21, 2026/ A new chapter of development is being written by the government in the Gram Panchayats of Antagarh development block, located in the remote and forest-covered areas of North Bastar Kanker district of Chhattisgarh. To change the picture of the interior areas and connect the villagers to the mainstream, large-scale infrastructure development works have been approved under government schemes for the financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26. In this mega-campaign being run for the all-round development of the region, budgets from extremely important schemes like 15th Finance, District Mineral Institute Trust (DMF), Project Fund, Bastar Development Authority, Chief Minister Infrastructure Maintenance, Chief Minister Samagra Gram Vikas Yojana, Minor Mineral Fund, Infrastructure Environment Fund, and MLA Fund are being utilized in coordination. On one hand, this all-round initiative by the government is strengthening the network of roads, bridges, and drinking water in the remote forest areas, while on the other hand, the poor are getting the gift of their own pucca houses through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Strengthening Infrastructure: Bridges, CC Roads, and Digital Centers Development of Education and Health Special Focus on 'Har Ghar Jal' and Sanitation To make transportation in remote areas smooth and all-weather, a network of RCC bridges and CC roads is being laid over rivers and streams. Construction work is progressing rapidly in many panchayats such as Hurrapinjo, Badechur of Badetevda, Baihasalhebhat, Mangtasalhebhat, Matla-B, Bhaisasure, Surevahi, Tadoki, Jethegaon and Arra of Bada-Pinjodi. To connect rural youth with digital and modern education, computer labs are being set up in the higher secondary schools of Badpinjodi and Talabeda, while 'Atal Digital Seva Kendra Bhavan' is being constructed in major panchayats like Useli and Ambeda, and new Panchayat buildings are being constructed in Badetopal to strengthen the administrative system. For the improvement of health services, construction of boundary walls, toilets, and interlocking roads is being done at sub-health centers in Ambeda and Tamerupani. Giving the highest priority to the health and sanitation of the villagers, the resolution of 'Har Ghar Jal' is being realized on the ground. For this, bore digging, water tank, and motor pump installation work is underway on a war footing in dozens of villages including Edanar, Bodagaon, Bondanar, Bulavand, Baihasalhebhat, Koliyari, Kodagaon, Kotkud, Mangtasalhebhat, Amagaon and Arra. Modern water filters are being installed in Bhaisasure, Gumjhir and Tüm sanar to ensure the supply of pure drinking water in remote villages, while extensive procurement of dustbins has been approved in Bandapal, Belondi, Amodi, Lamkanhar and Kalgaon to accelerate the sanitation campaign. Preservation of Centers of Faith and Community Strengthening The government has also allocated a special budget to preserve Bastar's rich cultural heritage, folk faith, and tribal traditions. Under this, Devgudis are being constructed in Kachwar of Edanar, Mangagaon, Amodi, Kosronda and Tadoki, and renovation, repair, and conservation work of the famous Garhmavali Mata Temple and Danteshwari Temple complex in Hindubinapal is being carried out with full devotion. To promote social and economic activities, tin sheds are being constructed for women self-help groups in various panchayats, auditoriums for public events, PDS buildings for fair price shops in villages, sheds in weekly markets, and dharamshalas for travelers. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana: Villagers' Dream of Pucca Houses Becoming Reality Along with these basic development works, a record number of houses have been approved under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to provide pucca roofs to the needy in Antagarh development block. In Devgaon Panchayat of the region, a maximum of 178 houses have been approved, followed by 177 in Godri, 158 in Sarandi, 156 in Bulavand, 116 in Tamerupani, 118 in Bandapal, and 111 pucca houses in Bhaisgaon. Similarly, 103 houses in Karamari, 100 in Bhaisasure, 104 each in Tadoki and Ambeda, 95 each in Amagaon and Masbars, 92 in Edanar, 89 in Arra, and houses for 87 families each in Kodagaon, Tüm sanar and Navagaon have been approved. Construction of 84 houses each in other smaller panchayats like Badpinjodi, Useli, and Kalgaon, 81 in Mulle, 37 in Badetopal, 35 in Koliyari, 31 in Kadhai Khodra, 20 in Talabeda, and 19 in Pulpad is being carried out. These coordinated and comprehensive development works by the government are not only creating new employment opportunities at the local level in the forest areas of Antagarh but also making the living standards of the villagers much easier and more prosperous than before.