Kumar Bahukhandi
Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently visited Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region on February 9, 2026, to attend the closing ceremony of the three-day “Bastar Pandum 2026” festival in Jagdalpur. During this visit, he was joined by the State Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai , State Home Minister Vijay Sharma and the President of the Chhattisgarh BJP state unit and Jagdalpur MLA Kira Singh Deo while Shah highlighted the region’s cultural identity and development, following high-level security reviews for anti-Naxal operations- Representational Image -Credit-CG/PR
Gramin Bus Yojana Connects long-isolated villages to mainstream life
Raipur: In a significant achievement for development in Bastar, the introduction of bus services to the eco-tourism destination Kaknar Valley marks a major step in bringing left-wing extremism-affected areas into the mainstream.
Under the Mukhyamantri Gramin Bus Sewa Yojana, remote and interior villages such as Kudhur, Dharamabeda, Chandela, Kaknar, and Palam have now been successfully connected, opening new pathways for education, mobility, and economic progress. Launched on October 04, 2025, by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, the scheme has transformed the lives of people who for decades lived in isolation due to difficult terrain and the shadow of Maoist activity.
For the residents of these villages, even the idea of a paved road was once unimaginable. Development had long been stalled, and narrow foot trails through steep and risky terrain were the only means of movement. Today, newly constructed roads and the regular movement of buses stand as powerful symbols of change, reflecting a new and evolving Bastar.
Marking almost six months since the launch of the Mukhyamantri Gramin Bus Sewa Yojana, the Chief Minister Sai said, “Since the launch of the Mukhyamantri Gramin Bus Sewa Yojana, Kaknar Valley has witnessed visible progress and improved connectivity.
Remote villages are now regularly linked to the mainstream, enabling better access to education, healthcare, and livelihoods. This rapid transformation reflects the success of our efforts in strengthening infrastructure and ensuring inclusive development in Bastar.”
Under the scheme, bus services now operate on selected routes, beginning from Mardapal in Kondagaon district and passing through challenging stretches of the valley, connecting villages like Dharamabeda and Kaknar before reaching Jagdalpur.
This has made travel significantly easier for people who had waited for decades for reliable connectivity.
More than just a transport facility, the bus service represents a growing sense of trust, security, and inclusion. With the weakening of left-wing extremism and increased vigilance by security forces, infrastructure development in these sensitive areas has now become possible.
The expanding network of roads has reduced isolation and improved access to education, healthcare, and markets, allowing villagers to participate more actively in economic and social life. The service is also helping deliver the benefits of government schemes directly to households, strengthening the link between governance and citizens.
Local representatives underline the depth of this transformation. Chandela Sarpanch Tularam Nag said that until a few years ago, development remained stalled due to Maoist influence, but the construction of roads has now given a new direction to the region, with schools, Anganwadi centres, health facilities, and essential supplies becoming accessible.
Similarly, Kaknar Sarpanch Baliram Baghel highlighted that earlier, traveling to Lohandiguda tehsil or the district headquarters was extremely difficult, whereas now year-round connectivity has been ensured. The renewed vibrancy of the weekly market in Kaknar further reflects the positive impact of improved connectivity.
This initiative stands as a clear testament to how focused governance, improved security, and infrastructure development can transform even the most remote and previously affected regions into active participants in the journey of growth and prosperity.
