Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will visit Chhattisgarh on September 11 and participate in a major government programme in Sakti district. The event will include inauguration and foundation-laying of development works worth over ₹122 crore and housewarming ceremonies for two lakh rural families.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will visit Chhattisgarh on September 11, where he will participate in a major development programme at the College Ground in Jetha village of Sakti district.The event will be attended by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai along with other senior leaders and government officials. During the programme, several initiatives related to rural development, housing, livelihood generation, women empowerment and technology-based governance will be launched.

Development projects worth ₹122 crore to be inaugurated

During the programme, 39 development projects worth more than ₹122 crore will be inaugurated and foundation stones will be laid.The projects are expected to improve basic infrastructure in rural areas, including housing facilities, roads and other essential services.

Housewarming ceremony for 2 lakh families

A major highlight of the event will be the housewarming ceremony of two lakh beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G).Beneficiary families who have received newly constructed houses will be symbolically handed over the “key of happiness” as part of the programme.The initiative aims to showcase progress in providing permanent houses to rural families across the state.

AI-based verification system to be launched

The programme will also witness the launch of an AI-based geo-tag verification and self geo-tag reporting system for rural housing projects.The new technology is expected to make monitoring of house construction more transparent and efficient by improving digital verification processes.

Senior leaders to attend programme

Several prominent leaders and officials are expected to participate in the event, including:

• Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Sharma and Arun Sao

• Union Minister of State Tokhan Sahu

• State ministers

• MPs and MLAs

• Panchayat representatives

• Senior government officials

Various schemes related to Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin, Viksit Bharat initiatives and National Rural Livelihood Mission will also be highlighted during the programme.

Focus on rural development

The visit is being seen as an important step towards strengthening rural development programmes in Chhattisgarh. The government aims to accelerate housing, livelihood opportunities and digital monitoring systems through these initiatives.

Chhindwara 500cr Development Plan: CM Mohan Yadav Unveils 105 Projects Worth Over ₹500 Crore

 In a major push for infrastructure and public welfare in the tribal-dominated district, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced a massive Rs 500 crore development plan for Chhindwara on March 26, 2026 .

The Chief Minister inaugurated 105 development projects across key sectors including roads, housing, education, and water supply during a public ceremony held in the district . The announcement came on the auspicious occasion of Maha Ashtami during Chaitra Navratri, adding a ceremonial dimension to the development push .

Key Projects Under the Chhindwara 500cr Development Plan

The ambitious infrastructure package includes several high-impact projects aimed at transforming the region's connectivity and public services.

The Tamia–Junnardeo road, built at a cost of Rs 133 crore, is expected to significantly improve inter-district connectivity and ease regional transport movement . Member of Parliament Bunty Vivek Sahu, who was present at the event, noted that this road would connect two districts and give the region a new identity .

Welfare Transfers: ₹620 Crore to Beneficiaries

Alongside the infrastructure push, the Chief Minister oversaw massive direct benefit transfers to beneficiaries across the state:

• Sambal Yojana: ₹157 crore transferred to 7,008 workers across Madhya Pradesh with a single click . This scheme provides social security support to unorganised sector workers .

• Social Security Pensions: ₹463 crore disbursed to more than 55 lakh pension beneficiaries .

• Total Transfers: Over ₹620 crore directly credited to accounts during the event .

Hanuman Lok Project Inaugurated

The Chief Minister also inaugurated the Shri Hanuman Lok project at Jamsawli, near Chhindwara, developed by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department .

The religious tourism site, spread over nearly 30 acres, is an expansion of the existing Jam Sawali Hanuman temple . The project includes:

• A Sanjivani Path for circumambulation of the holy Ramtekri mountain

• Multiple statues and figures of Lord Hanuman

• A sculpture of Lord Hanuman's child form in the first courtyard 

The foundation stone for this project was laid by former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan ahead of the 2023 Assembly election .

Government's Vision: 'Year of Farmer Welfare'

Speaking at the event, CM Yadav reiterated that 2026 has been declared the 'Year of Farmer Welfare' in Madhya Pradesh . He emphasized that farmers receive ₹12,000 annually under the Samman Nidhi scheme, while women beneficiaries of the Ladli Behna Yojana receive ₹1,500 per month .

The Chief Minister encouraged farmers to supplement their income through allied activities including:

• Animal husbandry and dairy farming

• Fisheries

• Horticulture

• Food processing 

Chhindwara Airport: A Future Priority

MP Bunty Vivek Sahu reminded the audience that an airport development in Chhindwara had been announced earlier and would give the region a new identity . This infrastructure project, once completed, is expected to boost economic activity and connectivity in the region .

Pandhurna District Also Gets Development Push

The Chief Minister noted that while Chhindwara received projects worth approximately ₹500 crore, the newly carved Pandhurna district (formed in October 2023 from Chhindwara tehsils) received development projects worth over ₹350 crore .

Key projects in Pandhurna include:

• A new office of the Madhya Pradesh Building Development Corporation (Rs 69.49 crore)

• A new Collector's Office

• A District Hospital

• A Superintendent of Police (SP) Office 

Tragedy Overshadows Celebrations

The development announcements were overshadowed by a tragic road accident that occurred shortly after the event. A private bus carrying over 40 passengers, who had attended the Chief Minister's function, collided head-on with a mini-truck on the Nagpur highway near Umranala village .

At least 10 people—including three women and a child—were killed, and more than 25 others injured .

CM Yadav expressed grief over the incident on X (formerly Twitter), calling it "heart-wrenching" . He announced:

• ₹4 lakh ex-gratia to the families of each deceased

• ₹1 lakh to each seriously injured person

• Free treatment for all injured

• A team of doctors dispatched from Jabalpur to Chhindwara and Nagpur 

Political Context

The Chhindwara district has historically been a Congress stronghold, represented by veteran leader Kamal Nath for decades. However, the BJP has been making significant inroads in the region. During his address, CM Yadav also backed External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's recent remarks and praised Prime Minister Modi's handling of international relations .

The Bottom Line

The Chhindwara 500cr development plan represents one of the largest single-day infrastructure announcements for the district in recent years. With projects spanning roads, education, health, and water supply, the initiative aims to address long-standing development gaps in the tribal region.

For residents of Chhindwara and the newly formed Pandhurna district, the coming months will determine how quickly these promised projects move from announcement to completion. The tragic bus accident, however, remains a somber reminder of the region's continuing infrastructure challenges—particularly road safety on its highways.