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New Delhi, Nov 1 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Chhattisgarh’s 25th anniversary celebrations at the Rajat Mahotsav in Nava Raipur, laying the foundation stone of transformational projects worth over Rs 14,260 crore across roads, energy, industry, healthcare and rural livelihoods.
He was on a one-day visit to the tribal dominated state.
Focusing on dignity and enterprise, PM Modi inaugurated 12 new Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Program (SVEP) blocks in nine districts to empower rural micro entrepreneurs.
He also attended the “Griha Pravesh” of 3.51 lakh completed houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) and released Rs 1,200 crore as installments to three lakh beneficiaries, ensuring safe, permanent housing for the rural poor of the state.
Connectivity got a huge boost with the laying of the foundation stone of a Rs 3,150 crore four-lane greenfield highway from Pathalgaon-Kunkuri to the Chhattisgarh-Jharkhand border under the Bharatmala project.
This 11-district corridor will connect coal mines, steel plants and industrial centers in Korba, Raigarh, Jashpur, Ranchi and Jamshedpur, creating a vital economic artery between central and eastern India.
PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for upgrading NH-130D in Bastar and Narayanpur and inaugurated the two-lane expansion of NH-130C up to the Odisha border, dramatically improving access to healthcare, education and markets in remote tribal areas.
In the power sector, the Prime Minister inaugurated the ER-WR interconnection project, adding 1,600 MW of inter-regional transfer capacity for grid stability.
He dedicated over Rs 3,750 crore to energy initiatives to enhance rural and agricultural supply, including Rs 1,860 crore of RDSS works – new lines, feeder separation, transformers and low-tension upgrades.
Nine new substations worth Rs 480 crore in Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, Bemetara, Gariaband and Bastar will provide reliable electricity to more than 15 lakh people even in tribal areas.
Foundation stone of additional substation and transmission projects worth Rs 1415 crore was laid in Kanker and Balodabazar-Bhatapara.
Energy security advanced with the dedication of the 489 km long Nagpur-Jharsuguda natural gas pipeline (Rs 1,950 crore), connecting 11 districts to the national gas grid and taking natural gas to 15 per cent of India’s energy mix, furthering the vision of “one nation, one gas grid”.
PM Modi also inaugurated HPCL’s Rs 460 crore Raipur Petroleum Depot with 54,000 KL capacity, including 10,000 KL for ethanol, ensuring fuel sustainability and supporting clean energy goals.
Industrial momentum increased with the foundation stone of two smart industrial zones at Siladehi-Gatwa-Birra (Janjgir-Champa) and Bijletala (Rajnandgaon), as well as a pharmaceutical park at Nava Raipur Atal Nagar dedicated to pharmaceutical and healthcare manufacturing.
Expanding medical education and outreach, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for a Government Ayurveda College and Hospital in Bilaspur as well as five new government medical colleges in Manendragarh, Kabirdham, Janjgir-Champa and Geedam (Dantewada).
With every project, PM Modi underlined Chhattisgarh’s leap from aspiration to achievement, propelling the state and India towards a developed India.
–IANS
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