PM to gift two mega projects to naxal-hist Bastar region in Chhattisgarh

Raipur,

In order to fuel the development process in tribal-dominated Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, an MoU for two mega projects will be inked during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state on May 9.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi will gift two major projects to tribal-dominated Bastar region during his visit to Chhattisgarh on May 9,” an official statement issued here said today.

The two projects are – one of setting up of an ultra-mega steel plant at village Dilmili in naxal-sensitive Dantewada and another, extension of second phase of Rowghat-Jagdalpur 140 km railway line.

Both the projects will come up in insurgency-hit areas and the state government officials claim the projects would accelerate the pace of development in vastly-populated tribal regions.

The total investment on the two major projects will be around Rs 24,000 crore and it would help in a rapid socio-economic transformation of sprawling Bastar, it said.

Dallirajhara-Rowghat-Jagdalpur broad-gauge railway project will cover a length of 235 km.

The laying of railway line of 95 km in the first phase from Dallirajhara to Rowghat is currently underway at a rapid pace.

An MoU on the second phase Rowghat-Jagdalpur line was signed earlier but it was shelved due to lack of funds.

Now, the Centre has given consent to the state’s proposal to lay the railway line through SPV (special purpose vehicle) and a fresh MoU will be inked on May 9, the statement said.

Chief Minister Raman Singh said the project will herald a new era of development in Bastar.

“May 9 will be a historic day in the annals of Chhattisgarh and Bastar adivasi region when in the presence of the Prime Minister, the MoU will be inked,” the statement quoted Singh as saying.

Through the broad-guage railway project, Narayanpur and Kondagaon districts in Bastar revenue division will be connected to the state capital, Bilaspur and Durg.

“A new world of opportunities will open. Health facilities, education and business will get a boost. Iron ore can be transported easily. The project will be completed in four-year period,” he added.

The other project of the ultra-modern and mega steel plant at Dilmili village will have an estimated annual production of three million tonne, it said.

An MoU will be signed for the ultra-mega steel plant, the statement said.

Share of SAIL (Steel Authority of India Limited) will be 74 per cent while NMDC’s (National Mineral Development Corporation) will have 26 per cent share.

The total investment will be around Rs 18,000 crore and roughly 10,000 people will be employed directly and indirectly by the project.

Modi will also visit education city and Livelihood College in Dantewada district during his day-long tour.

PTI