Team News Riveting
Raipur, January 29
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India and Chhattisgarh are making continuous strides towards good governance.
India has now emerged as the world’s fourth-largest economy. In achieving the goal of a developed India, as envisioned by the Prime Minister, the PRAGATI digital platform plays a crucial role. The platform stands as strong evidence of “alignment between intent and execution” and presents an effective model of good governance.
The Chief Minister was interacting with journalists at the New Circuit House in Raipur, briefing them on the PRAGATI Portal. He stated that PRAGATI is not merely a mechanism to review large infrastructure projects, but an outstanding example of New India’s new work culture. It clearly demonstrates the approach of “minimum government, maximum governance” and reflects a results-oriented administrative mindset.
Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that Indian democracy is viewed globally as a model system, and a key reason behind this is the improved coordination, cooperation and convergence between the Centre and the states. The PRAGATI platform acts as an effective bridge between the Union and state governments, ensuring better implementation of schemes and projects through continuous monitoring and cooperation.
Explaining the concept of PRAGATI, the Chief Minister said it stands for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, meaning advance planning and time-bound, effective execution of schemes. The platform goes beyond monitoring alone; it is a powerful tool for establishing accountability, enhancing transparency, and driving a positive shift in administrative work culture. He noted that earlier, many projects were inaugurated without fixed completion timelines, leading to delays spanning several years. Issues such as procedural bottlenecks, inter-departmental coordination gaps and implementation delays necessitated the introduction of the PRAGATI digital platform.
The Chief Minister informed that through PRAGATI, the Prime Minister personally conducts regular review meetings with Chief Secretaries of states and Secretaries of the Government of India. More than 50 high-level PRAGATI review meetings have been held so far, ensuring the timely resolution of stalled projects, underperforming schemes and citizen-related grievances. Through this platform, over 3,300 projects with an investment value of nearly Rs. 85 lakh crore have been fast-tracked nationwide. Implementation of 61 major schemes, including One Nation One Ration Card, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, PM SVANidhi and Swachh Bharat Mission, has significantly improved. Grievance redressal mechanisms in 36 sectors, such as banking, insurance, RERA, Jan Dhan Yojana and Matritva Vandana, have also been strengthened through PRAGATI.
He said that Chhattisgarh is making effective use of the PRAGATI digital platform. At present, 99 national infrastructure projects are underway in the state, involving an investment of Rs. 6.11 lakh crore. Of these, 50 projects have already been completed and are operational, while the remaining projects are progressing at various stages. A total of 200 issues related to Chhattisgarh were registered on the PRAGATI Portal, of which 183 have been successfully resolved, achieving a resolution rate of over 91 per cent. Long-pending issues in key sectors such as power, road transport, railways, coal, and steel have been effectively addressed. Sector-wise, 24 power projects, 23 road transport and highways projects, 14 railway projects, 7 coal sector projects, and 9 steel sector projects have been resolved.
The Chief Minister stated that long-pending projects such as the modernisation of the Bhilai Steel Plant and the Lara Super Thermal Power Project gained momentum through the PRAGATI platform. These projects have strengthened industrial development in the state and created new employment opportunities for local youth. Similarly, land-use and material-supply issues affecting the four-laning of the Raipur–Kodebod road were resolved through PRAGATI.
Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that the Chhattisgarh Government is fully committed to completing development works in a time-bound and transparent manner. Several governance innovations have been implemented in the state in the same spirit. These initiatives have also been appreciated by Oxford University, which described them as an effective mechanism for developing economies. He said that when the Prime Minister speaks of the vision of a developed India, it is not merely a slogan but a comprehensive roadmap, and innovations such as the PRAGATI platform clearly demonstrate this commitment.
