CM Sai Seeks Special PMGSY Provision for Bastar Roads on Arunachal Model

Raipur, July 2026: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Thursday met Union Rural Development and Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and urged the Centre to make a special provision under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-IV) to strengthen road connectivity in the remote and difficult areas of Bastar division.

The Chief Minister proposed that settlements located within a 10-kilometre radius be treated as a single cluster in Bastar, on the lines of the arrangement permitted in Arunachal Pradesh. He said the special provision would help connect a larger number of remote villages with all-weather roads.

State Home Minister Vijay Sharma, Secretary of the Union Ministry of Rural Development and Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary Subodh Singh were also present at the meeting. Sharma briefed the Union Minister on rural development, expansion of basic infrastructure and the progress of various development initiatives being implemented by the Chhattisgarh government.

CM Sai pointed out that several villages in Bastar are located deep inside dense forests, hilly terrain and difficult geographical conditions. Under the existing PMGSY norms, settlements within a radius of only 500 metres are considered as a single cluster. He said this criterion leaves many small and geographically scattered villages in Bastar without adequate road connectivity.

The Chief Minister therefore requested that, considering Bastar’s unique geographical circumstances, settlements within a 10-km radius should be allowed to constitute a single cluster. He said such a provision would enable the government to extend road infrastructure to a much larger number of villages.

Sai emphasised that Bastar is gradually moving away from its past phase of Left-Wing Extremism and is progressing rapidly on the path of development. At this stage, improved road connectivity would play a crucial role in linking people with education, healthcare, agriculture, employment opportunities and government welfare schemes.

“Roads are not merely a means of transportation; they are the foundation of development, security and prosperity,” the Chief Minister said, stressing that Bastar’s special geographical conditions should be taken into consideration while evaluating the proposal.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan listened to the proposal and assured the Chief Minister that it would be considered positively. He said the Central government was working with sensitivity towards the development needs of remote and tribal regions such as Bastar and assured that necessary action would be taken on the state government’s proposal.

During the meeting, Chouhan also appreciated the initiatives undertaken by the Chhattisgarh government in the field of rural development. He highlighted the effective implementation of the Jiramji scheme, particularly works related to the construction of cremation grounds and toilets.

The Union Minister also praised the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in the state. He noted that construction of around 1,500 houses every day was a significant achievement and reflected the pace of implementation of the housing programme.

Chouhan expressed confidence that coordinated efforts between the Centre and the Chhattisgarh government would further accelerate development activities across the state, particularly in Bastar and other remote regions.

The proposed PMGSY-IV provision is expected to provide a significant boost to connectivity in Bastar, where difficult terrain and scattered settlements have traditionally posed challenges to infrastructure development.