Kumar Bahukhandi
The landscape of remote forest villages has changed; healthcare workers, students, and villagers now have access to transportation-Photo Credit CG/PR
Raipur: The Chief Minister’s Rural Bus Scheme, launched by the Chhattisgarh government, aims to provide accessible and safe transportation to villagers in remote forest areas, especially in the Bastar and Surguja regions. Through this scheme, remote villages are being connected to district headquarters, schools, hospitals, and railway stations.
Chief Minister’s Rural Bus reaches remote areas, making travel easier
The Chief Minister’s Rural Bus Scheme is not only running on the roads, but it has also become a means of saving the time, convenience, and fulfilling the dreams of the villagers. The launch of bus services from Bada to Bariyo, Charpara, Kakna, Sidhma, Akhorakhurd, Rukhpur, Chikhladih, Narmadapara, Sargawan, and Ambikapur in Surguja district has generated immense enthusiasm among the villagers.
It is a result of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai’s far-sighted vision and sensitivity that the echoes of development are now being heard even in those remote areas of Surguja district where transportation was once a major challenge.
Travel made easier, time saved
Parmaniya Paikra, who works at an urban health hospital, shared her happiness, stating that this is the first bus service on this route. She said that earlier, reaching work on time and returning home safely was a major concern. But since this bus service started, they have been greatly benefited.
Now they reach the hospital on time and return home on time as well. Similarly, healthcare worker Chanda Toppo said that due to being from the Banda area, there were hardly any means of transportation before. With the start of the bus service, her professional life has become easier, and she expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai for this.
Bus service proving to be a boon for students
This scheme has brought about a revolutionary change in the lives of students. Lakshmi, a final-year student at Pushpendra College of Nursing, says that earlier she had to struggle a lot to catch a bus, but now the bus passes right in front of her house. This makes her feel much more comfortable with her studies. Nisha, a student at PG College, shared her experience, saying that earlier she had to walk 5 kilometers to catch a bus. Now, with the bus service available from Sidma village itself, she can travel directly to Gandhi Chowk without any difficulty.
Freedom from walking and long-distance bike journeys
Divyanshu Singh, a resident of Sidma village in Surguja district, said that due to the lack of bus service, he had to travel 5 kilometers daily by bike or on foot. Divyanshu says that now that the bus service has started from the village, he reaches his school on time. He expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai for this commendable initiative.
Remote forest villages connecting with the mainstream of development
The Chief Minister’s Rural Bus Scheme is not just a vehicle, but a symbol of good governance that has connected remote areas to the mainstream of the city. Regular bus services have made access to trade, education, and healthcare services easier.
Thanks to Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai’s initiative, those at the bottom of the pyramid are being empowered. Today, the Chief Minister’s Rural Buses running on the roads of the remote forest areas of Surguja are writing a new chapter in the state’s progress.
