Chhattisgarh govt to launch Adarsh Shahar Samriddhi Yojana for emerging towns

The scheme will provide new momentum and direction to urban development in the state, he said.Deputy CM Arun Sao, who holds Urban Administration department, said the scheme was a significant initiative for planned growth of smaller and medium-sized towns.It would strengthen civic services, smart facilities and green infrastructure through a transparent and result-oriented implementation process, he added.

The Chhattisgarh government will roll out a new scheme to equip emerging towns and urban centres with modern civic infrastructure and facilities, officials said on Monday.

The state government has earmarked Rs 200 crore for the ambitious scheme titled 'Adarsh Shahar Samriddhi Yojana' in the 2026-27 budget, an official release said.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, the initiative seeks to ensure balanced and comprehensive development of municipalities and nagar panchayats, it said.

''The scheme, conceptualised on the lines of 'Mukhyamantri Nagarotthan Yojana' launched for municipal corporations in the previous financial year, aims to strengthen urban infrastructure, expand public amenities and accelerate development works in smaller and medium-sized towns,'' it said.

The Urban Administration and Development Department has selected 32 urban local bodies in the first phase of 'Adarsh Shahar Samriddhi Yojana' scheme and issued necessary guidelines for implementation on Monday, the statement said.

''Divisional-level committees headed by joint directors of the department's regional offices have been constituted for selection of projects, site inspections and prioritisation of development works. These committees have been directed to submit priority-wise proposals with estimated costs to the government within 15 days,'' it said.

To ensure effective implementation and monitoring of the scheme, Chief Engineer of the Mechanical Cell of the Directorate has been appointed as nodal officer for all five revenue divisions of the state, the release added.

In the first phase, six urban bodies each from Bastar, Surguja and Raipur divisions, nine from Bilaspur division and five from Durg division have been included under the scheme, it said.

The selected urban bodies include Sukma municipality and Bhopalpatanam, Geedam, Keshkal, Pakhanjur and Narharpur nagar panchayats in Bastar division. In Durg division, Pandariya and Khairagarh municipalities along with Gurur, Ghumka and Chhuikhadan nagar panchayats have been selected, it said.

Raipur division includes Kurud, Mahasamund, Arang and Balodabazar municipalities along with Pithora and Chandkhuri nagar panchayats, while Surguja division includes Surajpur, Pathalgaon and Manendragarh municipalities along with Lakhanpur, Kotba and Kunkuri nagar panchayats, it said.

Bilaspur division includes Takhatpur, Mungeli, Lormi, Janjgir-Naila and Sakti municipalities along with Bilha, Gharghoda, Pusaur and Sariya nagar panchayats, it said.

The scheme will not be limited to basic infrastructure development but will function as a comprehensive urban development model aimed at improving quality of life and modernising civic amenities, it said.

''Key focus areas under the scheme include roads, drainage systems, water supply, transport facilities, parks, housing, education, healthcare, community services, employment generation, promotion of trade and entrepreneurship, e-governance, smart traffic management, security systems, green zones, renewable energy, water conservation, grievance redressal and reporting systems,'' the release said.

The government is committed to balanced and inclusive development of both major cities and emerging towns, the release quoted CM Sai as saying.

''ThroughAdarsh Shahar Samriddhi Yojana, infrastructure, public amenities and employment opportunities in municipalities and nagar panchayats will be developed in a planned manner. The scheme will provide new momentum and direction to urban development in the state,'' he said.

Deputy CM Arun Sao, who holds Urban Administration department, said the scheme was a significant initiative for planned growth of smaller and medium-sized towns.

''It would strengthen civic services, smart facilities and green infrastructure through a transparent and result-oriented implementation process,'' he added.