Gadchiroli: From Naxal-Affected Area to Developing District

Gadchiroli district is known for its rich tribal culture, abundant mineral wealth, lush forests, bamboo, tendupatta, and paddy crops. Covering 76 percent of its area with forests, this eastern district of Maharashtra, where the sun first rises in the state, is a region of rivers, valleys, wildlife, trees, biodiversity, and historical temples and forts that reflect the legacy of the ancient Rashtrakuta, Chalukya, Yadava, and Gond rulers. Established on August 26, 1982, about 39 percent of the district’s population belongs to the tribal community. However, the economic development of this scenic district was hindered for a long time due to its remoteness and Naxalism. In response to these challenges, the government, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Guardian Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Cabinet Minister Dharma Rao Baba Atram, has taken bold initiatives to promote development and employment in the district. They have launched ambitious projects to strengthen infrastructure, including roads, railways, airports, industries, education, and internet networks, along with industrial expansion. Let’s explore the various development schemes and initiatives that are transforming Gadchiroli from a Naxal-affected area to a developing district.

Gadchiroli: The Emerging ‘Steel Hub’

The state government aims to make Maharashtra a trillion-dollar economy by 2028, contributing to India’s goal of becoming the third-largest economy in the world. The iron industry in Gadchiroli plays a crucial role in this vision. Iron ore mining is ongoing at Surajgarh, with expansion plans already approved. With abundant reserves of iron ore, there is potential for up to one lakh crore rupees of investment in the iron industry here. This is positioning Gadchiroli as India’s future ‘Steel Hub,’ attracting significant interest from major industries and creating vast employment opportunities for locals.

Accelerating Development with Railway Projects

The development of the district urgently requires industry and the necessary communication infrastructure. To address this, 220.468 hectares of forest, government, and private land have been acquired for the Vadsa-Gadchiroli new broad gauge railway line project, covering 52.68 km across 24 villages. Of this, 20.81 km of the railway line construction has begun. Additionally, a survey for a new 133 km railway line from Gadchiroli to Bhanupratappur (Chhattisgarh) has been completed. The Ministry of Railways has recently sanctioned funds for the final survey and DPR preparation for a railway line from Gadchiroli to Bacheli, spanning 490 km. These railway lines will connect Gadchiroli to key trade centers in Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, boosting economic growth and attracting new industries.

Vikas Flight at Gadchiroli Airport

The preliminary site study, inspection, and OLS survey for the construction of an airport in Gadchiroli were completed by the government in January 2024. Efforts are now underway to obtain approval for land acquisition.

Highways to Prosperity

As communication facilities expand in the district, the Central Government’s ambitious ‘Bharatmala’ project will link Gadchiroli to economic corridors in Telangana and Chhattisgarh through the Gadchiroli to Karimnagar and Gadchiroli to Durg highways. An 82 km four-lane road has been proposed, covering 67 villages in the district. Additionally, the ‘Hindu Hridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Prosperity Highway,’ which is expected to transform Maharashtra’s economic landscape, will extend to Gadchiroli. Furthermore, the district’s internal road network, spanning 487 km, is set to include 26 new roads, of which 14 roads, totaling 284 km, have been completed. These highways and roads are expected to bring significant economic benefits to the farmers, general public, entrepreneurs, and traders of Gadchiroli.

Water Transport

Gadchiroli is also known for its numerous rivers, including Vainganga, Godavari, Indravati, Wardha, Pranhita, Perlkota, Gadavi, Khobragadi, Palvelochana, Kathani, Shivani, Por, and Darshani. Guardian Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently announced at a Bhoomipujan program for a Rs 10,000 crore investment in Aheri that the government is appointing a study group to develop a water transport route from these rivers to ports in Andhra Pradesh. By connecting Gadchiroli to the world through road, rail, and air routes, the government is opening all avenues for development.

Expanding the Communication Network in Remote Areas

To develop an effective communication system in the remote areas of this vast district, 605 new mobile towers have been approved. Of these, 293 towers have been completed, and 190 are under construction. This expansion will connect government offices, health systems, schools, Anganwadis, and banks in remote areas to the internet, saving time and money for citizens by enabling them to complete various tasks locally.

Educational Hub

In 2022, a Government Medical College was sanctioned for Gadchiroli, with plans to begin the admission process in the upcoming academic session. To further enhance the quality of higher education for local students, Gondwana University is undergoing expansion. For this purpose, 68 hectares of new land have been acquired, and a proposal for ₹884 crore in funding has been submitted to the government. These funds will be used for the construction of educational complexes, student hostels, training centers, libraries, staff residential complexes, and other facilities. Recently, ₹104 crore has been sanctioned under the Usha Yojana for these developments.

District-Level Initiatives

The district administration is actively implementing various public welfare activities. These include:

• ‘Ekal’ for strengthening Gram Sabhas.
• ‘Alpha Academy’ for skill development through digital education.
• ‘Disha’ for health and hygiene awareness among adolescent students.
• ‘Fulora’ for improving basic literacy.
• ‘Muskan’ for raising awareness about anemia.
• ‘Center for Invention, Innovation, and Incubation’ for youth industry training and the Training Center.
• ‘Police Dadalora Window’ activities for public safety.

Additionally, under the ‘Shasan Apya Dari’ scheme, 6,97,619 benefits have been distributed, and 10,38,018 benefits have been provided under the Chief Minister’s Women’s Empowerment Scheme. Gadchiroli district is also leading in implementing various recent public welfare schemes by the government. Notably, 1,53,330 women have received benefits in the first phase of the ‘Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin’ scheme. The district was the first in the state to select beneficiaries under the ‘Chief Minister Youth Work Training’ scheme and currently leads in issuing appointment letters in the Nagpur division under this scheme. Additionally, Gadchiroli ranks second in the state, having approved 47,000 applications under the Chief Minister Vyoshree Yojana. In the agricultural sector, 25,230 beneficiaries are eligible for the ‘Chief Minister Baliraja Free Power Scheme.’ Furthermore, under the National Food Security Scheme, free food grains are distributed monthly to 2,22,000 ration card holders of Antyodaya and Priority Family beneficiaries in the district. The ‘Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme’ has created 25 lakh man-days by providing employment to 85,000 families who sought work.

The government’s commitment to promoting the overall development of Gadchiroli is evident through the combined efforts in industry, communication, higher education, and skill development. While these are just the initial steps in the district’s development journey, with the support of the government, administration, and citizens, Gadchiroli is rapidly emerging as a region of progress and opportunity within the state.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is closely monitoring the timely completion of development projects in the district. Deputy Chief Minister and Guardian Minister of the district, Devendra Fadnavis, recently highlighted the accelerated pace of Gadchiroli’s development with the statement ‘Gadchiroli ab Daudega’ at a public event. State and local leadership are actively pursuing large-scale industrial investment in the district. Through the effective implementation of development schemes and people-oriented work, the district and police administration are gaining the trust of citizens. In the pursuit of erasing its past identity as a backward and Naxal-affected area, citizens believe that the district’s progress in industry, infrastructure, employment generation, and skill development will soon create a new and prosperous identity for Gadchiroli.