Trauma Centre at Sargaon, Eco-Tourism Centre at Madku Island among major announcements
Mungeli : Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 21 development works worth ₹68.96 crore at Madku in Mungeli district.
The projects cover infrastructure and public services in areas including healthcare, education, tourism, electricity, sports and civic amenities. During the programme, the Chief Minister also announced several new initiatives, including a trauma centre at Sargaon Community Health Centre and an eco-tourism centre at Madku Island.
Sai was speaking at the Aangan Milan Seva, Blood Donation and Free Mega Health Camp organised under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan at Madku.
Focus on Last-Mile Delivery of Government Services
Addressing the gathering, Sai said the government’s stated objective was to accelerate development and ensure that public services and welfare schemes reach people at the grassroots level.
He said better roads, improved healthcare facilities, adequate nutrition for mothers and children and easier access to government schemes were among the areas requiring continued attention.
Referring to governance reforms, the Chief Minister highlighted initiatives such as e-Office, Chief Minister’s Helpline 1076 and Atal Digital Service Centres, saying these measures were intended to simplify administrative processes and bring government services closer to citizens.
He also referred to the PM-JANMAN scheme and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, stating that the government was working to ensure that eligible families are not deprived of benefits because of a lack of information or difficulties in accessing procedures.
Focus on Maternal and Child Health
Speaking about the Aangan Milan Seva programme, Sai said Anganwadi centres play an important role in child nutrition and maternal health.
He highlighted the importance of nutrition, healthcare, vaccination and early childhood care during the initial years of a child’s life.
According to the Chief Minister, the Aangan Milan initiative brings together families, Anganwadi workers, helpers and health workers to discuss issues including child nutrition, care of pregnant women, anaemia, vaccination and sanitation.
He also acknowledged the contribution of Mitanins, Anganwadi workers and helpers in taking health and nutrition services to remote villages.
Sai further referred to the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, stating that around 68 lakh women in the state are receiving monthly financial assistance of ₹1,000 directly into their bank accounts.
Citizens Urged to Prioritise Preventive Healthcare
During the mega health camp, the Chief Minister urged residents to make use of available health-screening facilities.
He highlighted the importance of timely detection of conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and anaemia, saying early identification can facilitate timely treatment.
Sai also appealed to women to pay attention to their own health while caring for their families.
He congratulated people who participated in the blood donation drive and described voluntary blood donation as an important form of community service.
Madku Island to Get Eco-Tourism Centre
A major announcement at the programme concerned the development of Madku Island as a tourism destination.
Sai referred to the island’s historical, religious and archaeological significance and said the government would seek to combine heritage conservation with tourism development.
The district administration describes Madku Islands as an ancient site on the Shivnath River, with temples dating to around the 10th and 11th centuries, along with archaeological remains and inscriptions.
The Chief Minister announced ₹75 lakh for establishing an eco-tourism centre at Madku Island, along with measures aimed at improving tourism-related facilities.
The proposed development is expected, according to the government’s announcement, to strengthen the site’s tourism identity and create additional livelihood opportunities for local communities.
Major Development Announcements
Among the announcements made by the Chief Minister were:
- A Trauma Centre at Sargaon Community Health Centre.
- Upgradation of primary schools at Pipar Dol and Lamti to middle schools.
- ₹15 lakh each for the Talagram Festival and Madku Island Festival.
- ₹25 lakh for installing a life-size statue of Rani Avantibai Lodhi at Rani Avantibai Lodhi College in Pathariya.
- ₹75 lakh for an eco-tourism centre at Madku Island.
- Construction of an indoor stadium at Bhatapara.
- ₹10 lakh each for CC roads in 10 villages of the Bhatapara area.
- Establishment of 33 kV substations at Madku and Tumadhetha.
- ₹30 lakh for construction of a building in the core settlement of Chandkhuri.
- Construction of a community building at Madku.
21 Development Works Worth ₹68.96 Crore
According to the district administration, the 21 works covered by the programme have a combined value of ₹68 crore 96 lakh 96 thousand.
Of this, completed works worth ₹34.77 crore were inaugurated, while foundation stones were laid for new projects worth approximately ₹34.20 crore.
The inaugurated projects include:
- Eight Public Works Department projects in the Lormi Assembly constituency worth ₹20.07 crore.
- One PWD project in the Bilha Assembly constituency worth ₹10.68 crore.
- Works implemented by the Rural Engineering Service.
- Projects under the Health and Family Welfare Department.
- A project of the Police Department.
Among the projects for which foundation stones were laid are:
- One project worth ₹8.04 crore under the Chief Minister’s Rural Roads and Development Scheme in the Mungeli Assembly constituency.
- Three PWD projects worth ₹20.88 crore in the Mungeli Assembly constituency.
- Two PWD projects worth ₹4.83 crore in the Bilha Assembly constituency.
- A ₹43 lakh Health and Family Welfare Department project in the Bilha area.
The government said these works are intended to expand road connectivity, healthcare infrastructure and other public facilities in the Mungeli, Lormi and Bilha areas.
Union Minister Tokhan Sahu Highlights Heritage Conservation
Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu, who presided over the programme, paid tribute to social worker Shantaram Saraf on his death anniversary and also remembered Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya on his birth anniversary.
Sahu said Saraf had contributed to bringing attention to the historical and archaeological importance of Madku Island and that excavation work had helped bring aspects of the area’s ancient history to light.
He said development should go hand in hand with preservation of India’s cultural and historical heritage.
Deputy CM Arun Sao Calls Madku an Important Heritage Site
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao said Madku Island represents an important part of the state’s ancient heritage.
He described the island as an important religious centre dating back to the 11th century and said the state government was committed to its conservation and development.
Former Assembly Speaker and Bilha MLA Dharam Lal Kaushik also spoke about the contribution of Shantaram Saraf towards the development and historical recognition of Madku Island.
Public Representatives and Officials Attend
Former Governor Ramesh Bais, Food Minister Dayaldas Baghel, Industries Minister Lakhan Lal Dewangan, MLA Amar Agrawal, MLA Sushant Shukla, MLA Punnulal Mohle, CREDA Chairman Bhupendra Savanni, former MLAs Shivratan Sharma and Krishnamurti Bandhi, former MP Lakhan Lal Sahu, district BJP president Deenanath Kesharwani, District Panchayat President Shrikant Pandey, and Pathariya Janpad Panchayat President Chitralekha Manish Jangde were among those present.
Senior officials including Bilaspur Revenue Division Commissioner Sunil Jain, Bilaspur Range Inspector General of Police Ram Gopal Garg, Mungeli Collector Amrit Vikas Topno, Senior Superintendent of Police Bhojram Patel, Additional Collector Nishtha Pandey Tiwari, District Panchayat CEO Gokul Rawat, Additional Collector G.L. Yadav, Mungeli SDM Ajay Shatranj and Pathariya SDM Rekha Chandra also attended the programme.
A large number of local residents and public representatives were present during the event.
