CM Sai Pushes Faster Urban Development, Sets Deadline for 240 E-Buses in Four Chhattisgarh Cities

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai during the Urban Administration and Development Department review at Mahanadi Bhawan, Raipur, on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Sai directed officials to accelerate civic works and ensure timely delivery of drinking water, sanitation, roads, lighting and public transport-Photo Credit:primelookindia.com via CG/DPR .

Key Highlights

• 240 e-buses planned for Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg and Korba.
• Supporting infrastructure targeted for completion before March 2027.
• Nalanda Parisars sanctioned in 38 urban local bodies, with 31 under construction.
• ₹800 crore CBG projects being established across eight urban bodies.
• CM orders mission-mode implementation of AMRUT 2.0 to achieve 100% urban drinking-water supply.
• ₹200 crore allocated to Adarsh Shahar Samriddhi Yojana, covering 32 urban bodies.
• Raipur ranks sixth nationally in its population category in Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2026.

Chief Minister orders mission-mode completion of AMRUT works, faster Nalanda campuses and stronger sanitation as ₹800-crore CBG projects take shape across eight urban bodies

Raipur: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 called for a sharper focus on basic civic services across Chhattisgarh, directing officials to accelerate urban development projects while ensuring that clean drinking water, sanitation, roads, street lighting and public transport reach citizens efficiently and on time.

Chairing a detailed review of the Urban Administration and Development Department at Mahanadi Bhawan, the Chief Minister made it clear that urban development should not be measured merely by the amount of infrastructure created but by the quality of services citizens actually receive.

“The development of cities should not remain confined to infrastructure construction. Citizens must receive basic facilities such as sanitation, clean drinking water, better roads, lighting and convenient public transport in a qualitative and time-bound manner,” Sai said.

He directed officials to regularly monitor schemes and construction projects being undertaken by urban local bodies and warned against avoidable delays.

“The real benefits of development works sanctioned by the government must reach citizens on time. This is the primary responsibility of officials. Unnecessary delays in construction works will not be accepted,” he said, while stressing that speed should not come at the cost of quality.

240 E-Buses for Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg and Korba

A major focus of the review was the PM e-Bus Sewa programme. Officials informed the Chief Minister that preparations were underway to operate 240 electric buses across Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg and Korba.

The required infrastructure is targeted for completion before March 2027, paving the way for commencement of the e-bus services.

Sai directed departments concerned to expedite infrastructure works, saying the electric buses would not only provide citizens with modern and convenient public transport but also contribute to a more environment-friendly urban mobility system.

Urban Development on the Fast Track: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai chairs the Urban Administration and Development Department review at Mahanadi Bhawan in Raipur on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. The meeting reviewed AMRUT Mission works, 240 e-buses planned for Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg and Korba, Nalanda Parisars, urban housing, sanitation and ₹800-crore CBG projects across eight urban bodies-Photo Credit:primelookindia.com via CG/DPR.

The Chief Minister also reviewed the progress of Nalanda Parisars — central libraries-cum-reading zones being developed to provide young people with modern study facilities.

Principal Secretary, Urban Administration and Development, Sonmoni Borah informed the meeting that Nalanda Parisars have been sanctioned in 38 urban local bodies over three financial years, with work on 31 currently in progress.

Sai sought details about seating capacities and facilities and specifically reviewed progress on the Nalanda Parisar under construction in Raipur.

CM Expresses Displeasure Over Slow AMRUT Progress

The Chief Minister expressed displeasure over the pace of work under AMRUT Mission 2.0, directing officials to treat universal urban drinking-water supply as a priority.

“Ensuring 100 per cent drinking-water supply in the State’s urban areas is a priority. Pending AMRUT Mission works must be taken up in mission mode and completed rapidly,” Sai directed.

He also stressed the use of modern technology and high construction standards in sewage treatment plants and called for planned action on slum redevelopment and land monetisation.

Under the Nagarotthan Yojana, infrastructure projects are being developed in the State’s 14 municipal corporations, including widening of major roads, bypasses, flyovers, service lanes and underpasses.

The government has also launched the Adarsh Shahar Samriddhi Yojana for planned and citizen-centric urban development. The 2026–27 State Budget provides ₹200 crore for the scheme, covering 32 urban local bodies.

₹800-Crore CBG Push in Eight Urban Bodies

Another significant component of the urban development programme is the establishment of Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plants in eight urban local bodies at an estimated investment of around ₹800 crore.

Borah informed the meeting about the projects being developed under the Centre’s initiative for providing clean and sustainable fuel to the transport and industrial sectors.

Sai also directed urban bodies to move towards scientific management of municipal solid waste, including establishment of processing plants.

Sanitation and environmental improvement received particular attention during the meeting. Officials informed the Chief Minister that Raipur secured sixth position nationally in the category of cities with populations above 10 lakh in Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2026, scoring 189 points.

Sai congratulated the department and Raipur Municipal Corporation team and stressed the importance of increasing urban green cover through parks and extensive plantation in areas with fewer trees.

“Along with clean cities, green spaces are essential for a healthy and better urban life,” he said.

The Chief Minister also reviewed PMAY-Urban 1.0 and 2.0 and directed officials to accelerate allotment and settlement procedures so that eligible families receive permanent houses without unnecessary delay.

Citizen grievances received attention as well, with Sai seeking a review of urban-administration complaints received through the Chief Minister’s Helpline and directing officials to ensure their prompt and effective resolution.

He also called upon urban local bodies to strengthen their financial position through improved revenue and tax collection and suggested developing a system to recognise and reward civic bodies performing well in tax collection.

“The results of all schemes connected with urban development must be clearly visible on the ground,” Sai said, directing continuous monitoring of quality and timely completion of sanctioned works.

Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh, Urban Administration and Development Director Nilesh Mahadev Kshirsagar, Joint Secretary to the Chief Minister Prabhat Malik, SUDA Chief Executive Officer Sumit Agarwal and other senior officials attended the meeting.