Chhattisgarh Emerging as the Growth Engine of India: Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Chief Minister Announces Road Upgradation from Bodla to Bhoramdev
Chhattisgarh Fast Emerging on the Country’s Tourism Map: Shri Shekhawat

Raipur, January 2026 : Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that Chhattisgarh is increasingly becoming the growth engine of India. He expressed confidence that everyone would work together with this resolve and congratulated the people of the state. He said that Chhattisgarh should continue to progress sustainably, its tourism should develop further, and its culture should be preserved and protected so that the state establishes a distinct identity of its own.

Under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0, the foundation stone for the construction of the Bhoramdev Corridor was formally laid at a cost of ₹146 crore. Under this scheme, a well-planned and integrated tourism corridor will be developed from the Bhoramdev Temple परिसर to Madwa Mahal, Chherki Mahal, Ramchua and Saroda Reservoir. The construction of this corridor will link major religious and archaeological sites of the district into a strong tourism circuit, proving to be a milestone in giving Bhoramdev a distinctive identity not only at the national but also at the international tourism level. The Bhoramdev Corridor will be developed on the lines of Ujjain and Varanasi.

Foundation Stone Laid for Bhoramdev Corridor Development Project

Marking a historic initiative towards establishing Chhattisgarh’s historical, religious and cultural sites on the global tourism map, Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Deputy Chief Minister and Kawardha MLA Shri Vijay Sharma gave a major New Year gift to Kabirdham district. On this occasion, at the request of Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma, the Chief Minister also announced the widening and renovation of the road from Bhoramdev to Bodla.

Addressing the gathering after the foundation-laying ceremony at the Bhoramdev Mahotsav venue, Union Minister Shri Shekhawat said that the day was historic for Kabirdham district and the entire state. Extending New Year greetings, he said that over the past two years, the Chhattisgarh government has worked to translate the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi into reality, giving shape to the concept of a developed Chhattisgarh. He said that Naxalism was the biggest obstacle to the state’s development, and the state government has taken a firm resolve to eliminate it. Today, the state is moving decisively towards ending Naxalism, strengthening the confidence of citizens across the country that no force or conspiracy aimed at weakening India will be tolerated. He added that the firm decisions taken under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi against terrorism have given new strength to the country’s security policy.

The Union Minister said that India is rapidly moving towards becoming a developed nation. Along with roads, bridges and other infrastructure, facilities such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, drinking water, electricity, direct benefit transfers (DBT) and employment are reaching the doorsteps of the poor. He informed that under reforms in the National Employment Guarantee Scheme, employment has now been increased from 100 days to 125 days, with a provision for compensation if employment is not provided, describing it as “Modi’s Guarantee.”

Shri Shekhawat said that the Bhoramdev Temple is an almost thousand-year-old historical heritage, and through this corridor project, efforts are being made to preserve it for the next thousand years. He urged construction agencies and officials not to compromise on quality in the ₹146 crore project, as it is linked with religious faith and cultural heritage.

Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai said that the foundation stone-laying for the development of the thousand-year-old Baba Bhoramdev Temple is a matter of great joy. He said that during the month of Shravan, thousands of devotees carry holy water from Amarkantak to perform Jalabhishek at the temple. He highlighted that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, continuous efforts are being made for the development of all sections of society. Special initiatives such as the PM Janman Yojana have been launched for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups like the Baiga community, ensuring benefits such as paved roads, housing, and healthcare through mobile medical units.

Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma said that the Chief Minister has been regularly visiting the region and making efforts for its development. He recalled that approval for the Bhoramdev Corridor under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme was received on the day of the Bhoramdev Mahotsav last year, and today the foundation stone has been laid. He also informed that development work is underway at the Panchmukhi Shri Budha Mahadev Temple, another major center of faith in the region.

The programme was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Shri Arun Sao, Tourism Minister Shri Rajesh Agrawal, Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Tokhan Sahu, MP Shri Santosh Pandey, MLAs, senior officials, public representatives, devotees and a large number of local residents.