Satya Prakash
A “breeze of change” is sweeping through Bastar. The region of Central India is emerging from an era of Naxalite violence and advancing toward peace, security, and holistic development. Through the value addition of local minor forest produce, tribal communities are being integrated into the workforce, while Bastar’s art, culture, and natural beauty are being developed to establish the region as a tourism hub. Thanks to the efforts of the administration over recent times, the landscape of Bastar has transformed rapidly. Bastar has now been declared largely free of Naxalite influence.
According to reports dating up to March 2026, the growing dominance of security forces has led a significant number of Naxalites to surrender and return to the mainstream. Areas such as Jagargunda, Kistaram, and Golapalli—once strongholds of the Naxalites—are now connected by road networks. Through the ‘Mukhyamantri Gramin Bus Seva regular bus services now reach even the most remote villages, effectively reducing journeys that once took several days to a matter of mere hours. Schools that had remained closed for decades have been reopened. Initiatives such as ‘Chhoo Lo Aasman’ and ‘Lakshya’ are providing tribal youth with new educational opportunities. Concurrently, under the ‘ Mukhyamantri Swasth Bastar Abhiyan door-to-door health check-ups are being conducted for villagers. Under the ‘Niyad Nella Nar’ scheme, essential amenities—such as electricity, clean drinking water, ration shops, and ATMs—are being extended to villages within Naxal-affected areas. In regions like Jagargunda, villagers are now able to withdraw their MNREGA wages directly from ATMs.
In the Bastar region, the Central Government is implementing several key welfare schemes aimed at the upliftment of tribal communities and the development of infrastructure. According to updated information as of May 2026, the ‘PM-JANMAN’ initiative currently stands as the most significant campaign, specifically designed to foster the development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), such as the Abujhmadiya and Kamar tribes. Approvals have been granted for the provision of safe housing, clean drinking water, and the construction of over 2,400 kilometers of roads in the remote areas of the region.
Chhattisgarh has received approval for the construction of 100 bridges, involving an outlay of approximately ₹375 crore, which will connect the remote villages of Bastar to the mainstream. Most districts within the Bastar division—such as Dantewada, Bijapur, Sukma, and Narayanpur—are part of the Aspirational Districts Programme. Recently, NITI Aayog awarded Bastar district an incentive grant of ₹3 crore in recognition of its exemplary performance in the education sector. Through various health initiatives, indicators related to maternal and child health have shown improvement, marked by an increase in institutional delivery rates and a decline in malnutrition.
Eklavya Model Residential Schools are playing a pivotal role in promoting education and skill development. These schools are currently operational across various blocks of Bastar—including Lohandiguda, Bastar, and Darbha—to ensure access to quality education. The admission process and results for the academic session 2026-27 have recently been released. Under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana training programs are being conducted to integrate the youth into the tourism sector and local industries. Under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awaas Yojana an allocation exceeding ₹8,500 crore has been made for the construction of pucca (permanent) houses in rural areas. Through the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, approximately 1.38 lakh families in Bastar district have so far been provided with free LPG connections to ensure smoke-free kitchens.
The Ayushman Bharat scheme offers free health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh to every family. To ensure the holistic development of Bastar, the Central and State governments are jointly implementing special campaigns such as ‘Bastar Munne’ to ensure that the benefits of these schemes reach 100 percent of the intended beneficiaries. Owing to its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Bastar is rapidly emerging as a global tourism hub.
The Government of Chhattisgarh has launched several new schemes and projects aimed at promoting tourism and development in the region. State government has set a vision to transform Bastar into a central hub for tourism, startups, and infrastructure development. In line with this objective, the construction of over 200 roads and more than 250 bridges has been proposed.
To boost tourism in Bastar, an annual budget of ₹100 crore and provisions for subsidies of up to 75% have been allocated under the ‘One State, One Global Destination’ scheme for the development of Chitrakoot and its surrounding areas. A Home-Stay Policy has been implemented to provide tourists with an authentic experience of Bastar’s culture. Additionally, over 100,000 youths have received skills training in the tourism and hospitality sectors.
