‘Adarsh Shehar Samriddhi Yojana’ to Strengthen Infrastructure and Civic Services

*Chhattisgarh Government to Launch ‘Adarsh Shehar Samriddhi Yojana’ for Holistic Development of Municipalities and Nagar Panchayats* *CM Shri Vishnu Deo Sai’s Initiative Aims to Bring Modern Urban Development to Small Towns Across Chhattisgarh* *First Phase Covers 32 Urban Bodies; Rs. 200 Crore Allocated for Infrastructure and Citizen-Centric Urban Growth* *Divisional Committees Formed to Finalise Projects Within 15 Days Under Transparent and Time-Bound Framework* *'Adarsh Shehar Samriddhi Yojana' Will Provide a New Foundation for Systematic Development of Small and Medium Cities: CM Shri Vishnu Deo Sai* *Small Towns Across the State Will Also Receive a Modern Urban Development Model: Deputy Chief Minister Shri Arun Sao* Raipur, May 25, 2026/ Under the leadership of Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the Chhattisgarh Government is set to launch the ambitious “Adarsh Shehar Samriddhi Yojana” to ensure balanced, comprehensive development of municipalities and Nagar Panchayats across the state. The initiative aims to extend modern urban amenities beyond major cities to emerging towns and smaller urban centres. A budget provision of Rs. 200 crore has been made for the scheme in the financial year 2026–27. In line with Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai’s vision of “inclusive and balanced urban growth,” the scheme will function on the lines of the Mukhyamantri Nagarotthan Yojana launched for municipal corporations during the previous financial year 2025–26. The new initiative is expected to strengthen urban infrastructure, expand public services and accelerate development works in municipalities and Nagar Panchayats across Chhattisgarh. The scheme is being positioned as a “modern urban development model” for small and medium towns, laying the foundation for systematic and sustainable urban expansion. The Urban Administration and Development Department has issued guidelines for the first phase of the scheme, under which 32 urban local bodies across the state have been selected. Divisional-level committees have also been constituted under the chairmanship of Joint Directors of the department’s regional offices for project selection, site inspections and priority assessment. The committees have been instructed to identify projects, conduct field inspections, and submit prioritised proposals, along with estimated costs, to the state government within the next 15 days. To ensure effective implementation and coordination, the state government has appointed the Chief Engineer of the Directorate’s Mechanical Cell as the nodal officer for monitoring and project selection in all five revenue divisions. *32 Urban Local Bodies Selected in the First Phase* In the first phase of the Adarsh Shehar Samriddhi Yojana, 32 urban local bodies from across the state have been included. These include six urban bodies, each from the Bastar, Surguja, and Raipur divisions, nine from the Bilaspur division, and five from the Durg division. Under the Bastar division, Sukma Municipality, along with Bhopalpatanam, Geedam, Keshkal, Pakhanjore and Narharpur Nagar Panchayats have been selected. In Durg division, Pandariya and Khairagarh municipalities, along with Gurur, Ghumka and Chhuikhadan Nagar Panchayats, have been included. Under Raipur division, the municipalities of Kurud, Mahasamund, Arang and Balodabazar, along with Pithora and Chandkhuri Nagar Panchayats, have been selected. Similarly, in the Surguja division, the municipalities of Surajpur, Pathalgaon, and Manendragarh, along with the Lakhanpur, Kotba, and Kunkuri Nagar Panchayats, have been included. Under the Bilaspur division, Takhatpur, Mungeli, Lormi, Janjgir-Naila, and Sakti municipalities, along with Bilha, Gharghoda, Pusaur, and Sariya Nagar Panchayats, have been selected for the first phase. *Development Beyond Basic Infrastructure* In line with Shri Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai’s vision, the Adarsh Shehar Samriddhi Yojana will not remain limited to basic construction works. Instead, it is being designed as a “comprehensive urban transformation model” focused on making urban life safer, more convenient and citizen-friendly. The scheme will prioritise development works related to roads, drainage systems, water supply, transportation, parks, housing, education, healthcare, community services, employment generation, trade and entrepreneurship promotion, e-governance, smart traffic systems, security infrastructure, green zones, renewable energy, water conservation, citizen feedback systems, grievance redressal and reporting mechanisms. *Local Representatives to Play Key Role in Project Selection* Development works under the scheme will be selected according to local needs and public expectations. Divisional committees have been constituted under the chairmanship of the Joint Directors of the Urban Administration and Development Department for this purpose. The Chief Municipal Officer of the concerned municipality or Nagar Panchayat will function as the Member Secretary of the committee. For the Raipur, Durg, Bilaspur, and Surguja divisions, five-member committees have been formed, comprising two Executive Engineers and one Assistant Engineer. In the Bastar division, a four-member committee has been constituted, comprising one Executive Engineer and one Assistant Engineer. Projects will be selected in coordination with municipal chairpersons, councillors, and local public representatives to ensure that development priorities align with local requirements. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said the state government is committed to the “balanced and inclusive development” of emerging towns and urban centres along with major cities. He stated that through the Adarsh Shehar Samriddhi Yojana, infrastructure, public facilities and employment opportunities in municipalities and Nagar Panchayats will be developed in a planned manner. He added that the government is continuously working to make smaller towns as modern and well-equipped as larger cities, and that the scheme will provide “new momentum and direction” to urban development in Chhattisgarh. Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Administration Minister Shri Arun Sao described the scheme as an important initiative for the systematic development of small and medium towns in the state. He said the scheme will strengthen roads, water supply systems, drainage networks, smart facilities, green spaces and civic services. He added that divisional-level committees have been formed to ensure a “transparent and result-oriented” project selection process. At the same time, the government’s priority remains providing quality infrastructure and better civic amenities in every urban area of the state.