Kumar Bahukhandi
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister and Kawardha MLA Vijay Sharma sits among villagers during a direct public interaction at Lohjhari village in Kabirdham district on Saturday, October 17, 2026. During the visit, Sharma heard local concerns, announced development works worth ₹20.20 lakh and emphasised regular monitoring of construction quality and timely completion of rural infrastructure projects. Photo: channel24india.com via CG/DPR
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Takes Governance to the Grassroots, Hears Villagers’ Concerns, Sanctions Road and Community Infrastructure Projects and Calls for Monthly Monitoring of Construction Quality
Key Highlights
- Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma interacts directly with villagers in Lohjhari, Kabirdham district, sitting among them on the ground.
- Announces ₹20.20 lakh for village development works, including CC roads and community facilities.
- Four cement-concrete roads to receive ₹10.40 lakh to improve local connectivity.
- Financial assistance announced for stage construction near Durga, Hanuman and Mahamaya temples.
- Calls for monthly reviews involving elected representatives, contractors and local authorities to ensure construction quality.
- Says development projects worth more than ₹1,000 crore are under way in the Kawardha region.
- Highlights the Bhoramdeo Corridor, Medical College and Raipur–Bilaspur road widening among major projects.
Raipur: Bringing governance closer to the people, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister and Kawardha MLA Vijay Sharma on Saturday, October 17, 2026, visited Lohjhari village in Kabirdham district, where he sat on the ground among villagers, listened to their concerns and announced development works worth ₹20.20 lakh. In an interaction marked by simplicity and direct public engagement, Sharma discussed local requirements with residents and emphasised that development must reflect the genuine needs and aspirations of rural communities.
The Deputy Chief Minister began his visit by offering prayers at the Mahamaya Temple, seeking peace, prosperity and well-being for the people of Chhattisgarh.
Following the prayers, he interacted with villagers in the temple premises, listening to their demands concerning roads, public facilities and infrastructure required for religious and social gatherings.
Rather than limiting the visit to a formal meeting, Sharma joined residents seated on the ground, allowing them to raise their concerns directly.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma addresses villagers during his visit to Lohjhari in Kabirdham district on Saturday, October 17, 2026, highlighting the government’s commitment to rural development, improved infrastructure and public participation in monitoring construction works. Sharma also outlined major projects worth more than ₹1,000 crore under way in the Kawardha region. Photo: channel24india.com via CG/DPR
The interaction provided villagers with an opportunity to explain the difficulties they faced and identify projects they considered necessary for their community.
Responding to their requests, the Deputy Chief Minister announced financial assistance for several development works.
₹20.20 Lakh Announced for Roads and Community Infrastructure
During the interaction, Sharma announced funds for cement-concrete roads and facilities intended to support community activities.
The announced works included:
- ₹10.40 lakh for the construction of four cement-concrete roads.
- ₹2.60 lakh for a stage at the Durga Temple.
- ₹2.60 lakh for a stage near the Hanuman Temple.
- ₹2.60 lakh for the construction of two stages at the Mahamaya Temple.
The announced total was ₹20.20 lakh, although the individual allocations specified in the official release add up to ₹18.20 lakh. The remaining ₹2 lakh was not separately itemised in the information provided.
The proposed road works are expected to improve movement within the village, particularly during the monsoon when poorly maintained routes can create difficulties for residents.
Similarly, the construction of stages near religious institutions is intended to provide improved facilities for cultural programmes, community gatherings and traditional celebrations.
The announcements reflected an approach in which relatively modest infrastructure investments are directed towards improving everyday life in rural settlements.
Development Must Reflect the Needs of Villagers
Sharma’s interaction with residents highlighted the importance of public participation in identifying local development priorities.
The Deputy Chief Minister heard representations from villagers and discussed the practical requirements of the community.
The discussions focused on infrastructure that could make daily life more convenient while also strengthening facilities for social and cultural activities.
The government’s approach, as outlined during the visit, placed emphasis on addressing local concerns through direct engagement with the people affected by them.
For villagers, the opportunity to interact personally with their elected representative provided a platform to raise matters that might otherwise take longer to reach the administration.
The meeting also underscored the importance of communication between public representatives and communities in ensuring that development initiatives remain responsive to local requirements.
Monthly Reviews to Ensure Quality and Timely Completion
One of the significant issues raised by the Deputy Chief Minister concerned the quality and monitoring of construction works.
Sharma emphasised that announcing development projects was only the first stage and that their proper execution required continuous supervision.
Villagers and public representatives participate in a grassroots interaction with Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma at Lohjhari village in Kabirdham district on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The meeting focused on local development priorities, road connectivity, community infrastructure and the importance of ensuring quality and accountability in government-funded construction projects. Photo: channel24india.com via CG/DPR
He called upon district panchayat members, janpad panchayat representatives, sarpanches, contractors and other public representatives to meet every month and review the progress of ongoing construction activities.
The objective, he explained, was to ensure that projects were completed within the prescribed time and that construction standards were maintained.
Sharma emphasised that regular monitoring, local participation and accountability were essential to ensuring that development works remained durable and delivered lasting benefits to villagers.
He also highlighted the importance of involving local representatives in the monitoring process, as they were familiar with the practical requirements of their communities.
According to the Deputy Chief Minister, collective supervision could help identify shortcomings at an early stage and ensure that corrective action was taken without unnecessary delay.
The emphasis on regular reviews assumes particular significance in rural infrastructure development, where construction quality directly influences the long-term usefulness of public investments.
Development Projects Worth Over ₹1,000 Crore Under Way in Kawardha
Addressing the broader development agenda for the region, Sharma said projects valued at more than ₹1,000 crore were currently under implementation in the Kawardha area.
He identified several major initiatives that were expected to strengthen connectivity, healthcare infrastructure and regional development.
Among the prominent projects were the Bhoramdeo Corridor, the proposed Medical College infrastructure and the widening of the Raipur–Bilaspur road.
The Deputy Chief Minister said these projects formed part of the ongoing efforts to expand essential infrastructure and improve public facilities.
The Bhoramdeo Corridor is particularly significant because of the historical, religious and tourism importance of the Bhoramdeo Temple complex.
Improved infrastructure around the temple area could strengthen tourism-related activity and create opportunities for local businesses and communities.
The Medical College project, meanwhile, is expected to contribute to improved healthcare access and medical education in the region once completed and operational.
Road widening and connectivity improvements are also important for facilitating transportation, commercial activity and access to public services.
Special Teams Monitoring Major Infrastructure Projects
Sharma informed villagers that teams had been constituted to monitor the progress and quality of major development projects in the Kawardha region.
These teams, he said, undertake field inspections during the first week of every month.
The purpose of the inspections is to assess construction progress, identify potential delays and ensure that prescribed quality standards are followed.
The Deputy Chief Minister expressed hope that construction of the Medical College would be completed soon.
His remarks indicated that the government was seeking to combine large-scale infrastructure investment with regular administrative oversight.
Such monitoring is especially important for projects involving substantial public expenditure and long implementation periods.
By linking project reviews with on-site inspections, the administration aims to strengthen accountability and improve the effectiveness of infrastructure delivery.
Grassroots Dialogue Strengthens Public Participation in Governance
The Lohjhari visit demonstrated the role of direct public interaction in addressing village-level development needs.
By sitting among residents and listening to their concerns, Sharma created an opportunity for open discussion about local priorities.
The meeting brought together villagers and elected representatives in a setting that encouraged direct communication.
For rural communities, such interactions can help bridge the distance between government decision-making and the everyday realities experienced by residents.
The development announcements also illustrated the importance of smaller infrastructure projects alongside major regional investments.
While large projects such as medical colleges, highways and tourism corridors contribute to long-term regional growth, village roads and community facilities address immediate requirements.
Both categories of investment are necessary for balanced development.
The Deputy Chief Minister’s emphasis on construction quality, timely implementation and public participation reinforced the principle that development should be measured not only by financial allocations but also by the benefits ultimately delivered to citizens.
Public Representatives Join Village Interaction
Several elected representatives and local leaders participated in the programme.
Those present included District Panchayat President Ishwari Sahu, District Panchayat Member Maniram Sahu, former District Panchayat President Videshiram Dhurve and Janpad Panchayat President Ramkinkar Verma, along with other public representatives.
The gathering provided an opportunity for local leadership to engage with residents and discuss the implementation of development works.
The Deputy Chief Minister’s visit concluded with an emphasis on responsive administration, public participation and the need to ensure that infrastructure projects meet the expectations of the communities they are intended to serve.
The interaction in Lohjhari reflected a broader message of grassroots governance: development becomes meaningful when public representatives listen to citizens, respond to local priorities and ensure that promised works are completed with transparency, quality and accountability.
