C’garh: End Of Maoism Paves Way For Implementation Of ‘Bastar Roadmap 2.0’: Sai
The government’s focus has now shifted (following the end of Maoism) to the long-term development of Bastar through ‘Bastar Roadmap 2.0’: Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai
RAIPUR: Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai has said that after the end of decades old Maoist violence, that disrupted development, education and normal life in Bastar in Chhattisgarh, the tribal region has now entered a new phase of peace and security and inclusive growth.
The fall of Maoist fort in Bastar has paved the way for the implementation of the ‘Bastar Roadmap 2.0’, an ambitious project being launched with an objective to transform the region into the country’s leading tribal division, he said.
“The government’s focus has now shifted (following the end of Maoism) to the long-term development of Bastar through ‘Bastar Roadmap 2.0’, aimed at transforming the region into the country’s leading tribal division”, the chief minister told the state Assembly here late on Wednesday evening.
Outlining the roadmap, he said that under the ‘Bastar Munne Abhiyan’, a total 31 government schemes and 14 community services are being implemented in saturation mode, benefitting over 39 lakh people across 5,542 villages.
Security camps are being developed into ‘Shaheed Gundadhur Seva Deras’, serving as integrated centres for public services, livelihoods and citizen welfare.
The chief minister said that health screening of over 34 lakh people in Bastar has been completed under a government health scheme, creating digital health profiles to improve healthcare delivery.’
Under another government scheme, 43 individual and community welfare schemes across 17 departments have been implemented in 525 villages located within a 10-km radius of security camps, strengthening public trust in the governance.
Highlighting the projects being undertaken for development of road, rail and air connectivity, he said work on Rs 3,513 crore Jagdalpur- Raoghat (in Bastar) rail project is progressing, air connectivity at Jagdalpur has been expanded and the Raipur- Visakhapatnam Expressway is nearing completion, which is expected to boost connectivity, tourism and investment.
He described how the decades old Maoist menace was brought to an end with coordinated efforts of the Centre and the state government, recalling that at a high-level meeting of police chiefs of Maoist-affected states in Raipur on August 24, 2024, a time-bound action plan was prepared and later implemented.
Alongside intensified security operations, the state introduced a comprehensive rehabilitation policy offering financial assistance, land, skill training and self-employment opportunities to surrendered Maoists, encouraging many to return to the mainstream.