Raipur, April 7: Marking what the state government described as a new phase of peace-led development in Bastar, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and presented a detailed blueprint of “Bastar Roadmap 2.0”, the state’s long-term plan for the region’s inclusive, sustainable and employment-led transformation.
During the meeting, Sai thanked the Prime Minister on behalf of the state’s three crore citizens, saying that under Modi’s guidance the government had achieved significant success in meeting its March 31 target for the elimination of Maoism in the region.
With peace conditions improving, the Chief Minister said the state’s focus has now shifted decisively toward accelerated development, livelihood generation and strengthening public services.
Under Bastar Roadmap 2.0, priority sectors include:
- agriculture and agro-forestry
- expansion of irrigation infrastructure
- tourism development
- employment generation for local youth
PM praises success of ‘Niyad Nella Nar’ scheme
Sai briefed the Prime Minister on the outcomes of the government’s saturation, connect, facilitate, empower and engage strategy in Bastar.
The Prime Minister specifically appreciated the successful implementation of the ‘Niyad Nella Nar Yojana’, saying it has helped extend basic public services into severely Maoist-affected regions, creating visible improvements in quality of life.
According to the Chief Minister, a third-party evaluation by the National Council for Applied Economic Research (NCAER) found:
- 93% villages now have primary schools
- 97% children receive mid-day meals, uniforms and books
- 97% villages have operational anganwadi centres
- most villages are connected to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs
- 89% rural residents now hold Ayushman cards
- ration card and Aadhaar saturation crossed 95% by March 2026
Connectivity, livelihoods and social empowerment
The roadmap will expand the Niyad Nella Nar scheme to 10 districts, including all seven Bastar districts, along with Gariaband, Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki, and Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai.
To improve mobility in remote regions, the state has launched the Chief Minister Rural Bus Scheme, currently operating on 38 routes in Bastar.
The Chief Minister also highlighted cultural and confidence-building initiatives such as Bastar Pandum and the Bastar Olympics, saying they have infused the region with renewed pride and social energy.
Under the Elvad scheme, development works worth up to ₹1 crore are being approved in Naxal-free panchayats, while rehabilitation efforts for surrendered Maoists and affected families are also being scaled up.
