Union Home Minister Amit Shah launches Chief Minister Rural Bus Scheme

Raipur, October 4

The end of Naxalism in Bastar is near, and soon peace will be established in the region, paving the way for new milestones of development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Saturday. He launched the Chief Minister Rural Bus Scheme from Jagdalpur and flagged off passenger buses along with Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. Both leaders extended their best wishes to the people for this landmark initiative.

Union Home Minister Shah said that the double-engine government is committed to Chhattisgarh’s development. The elimination of Left-Wing Extremism will connect the state’s remote areas to the mainstream of growth. The newly launched bus services, he added, will infuse fresh energy into people’s lives. With this initiative, residents of 250 villages will now have easier access to nearby government offices, schools and hospitals.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai congratulated the people and said that his government is working rapidly to enhance public amenities. The Chief Minister Rural Bus Scheme aims to provide passenger bus services in villages that were previously deprived of such connectivity. With this, people will be able to travel to their destinations on time at a lower cost, while also finding greater convenience in their daily work, government tasks and other activities.

Launched with the objective of strengthening transport facilities in rural and remote areas, the ambitious Chief Minister Rural Bus Scheme seeks to provide bus services to villages that have so far been untouched by public transport. The scheme will ensure safe, timely and affordable travel, significantly improving the standard of living in rural areas.

*Focus on Bastar and Surguja in the first phase*

In its first phase, the scheme prioritises Bastar and Surguja divisions. Passenger services will begin on 34 routes with 34 buses, connecting 250 new villages across 11 districts. For villages with limited road connectivity, where people often walked long distances to reach district headquarters or other key centres, this initiative will prove to be a boon.

*Connectivity from Gram Panchayat to District Headquarters*

The primary objective of the scheme is to ensure seamless bus connectivity from Gram Panchayats to district headquarters. This will provide villagers easier access to healthcare, education, employment and markets. The buses under this scheme will assure safe and punctual travel, saving both time and resources for rural citizens. To guarantee the long-term success of the scheme, the government has also made provisions for viability gap funding to bus operators, ensuring their financial stability and sustained service delivery in these remote areas. This step will not only strengthen transportation but also generate local employment opportunities.

*Historic milestone: 250 villages connected for the first time*

Under this scheme, nearly 250 villages are being connected to bus services for the first time. This is a historic achievement for rural Chhattisgarh, one that will accelerate social and economic development. Villagers will no longer need to walk long distances or rely solely on private transport for essential needs.

*Step towards inclusive growth*

On this occasion, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that the state’s goal is to ensure that no village in Chhattisgarh is left out of the mainstream of development. The Chief Minister Rural Bus Scheme, he noted, is aimed at simplifying rural life and connecting villages to towns. It is not just about providing transport facilities but also about strengthening the rural economy. The scheme, he said, will prove to be a milestone not only in terms of connectivity but also in advancing social and economic equality.