Chhattisgarh Government Outlines Major Tourism, Culture and Heritage Initiatives, Highlights Two Years of Progress

Law Notify : The Chhattisgarh government on Tuesday presented a detailed account of achievements over the past two years and outlined its future roadmap for tourism, culture and heritage development. The briefing was held at the Chhattisgarh Samvad Auditorium in Nava Raipur by Tourism and Culture Department Secretary Dr. Rohit Yadav and Managing Director of the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board and Director of Culture and Archaeology, Vivek Acharya.

Officials said the state has adopted an integrated development model by granting tourism the status of an industry, linking economic growth with cultural preservation and heritage conservation.

Tourism accorded industry status
Granting industry status to tourism has opened new avenues for private investment. Through Investor Connect programmes held in major cities across the state and country, the government has secured more than ₹500 crore in private investment. This is expected to strengthen tourism infrastructure, hotels, resorts and adventure tourism.

Under the Ram Lalla Darshan Yojana, an agreement with IRCTC enabled around 42,500 devotees to travel to Ayodhya by special trains during 2024–25, giving a boost to religious tourism.

To promote rural tourism, the state has notified the Chhattisgarh Homestay Policy 2025–30 on 24 November 2025. The policy provides capital and interest subsidies to encourage community-based tourism, with a target of developing 500 new homestays. Budgetary support has also been approved for this initiative.

Film City and Convention Centre project
Dr. Yadav said approval has been granted under the central government’s Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme for the development of an integrated Film City and Convention Centre, with an estimated cost of ₹350 crore. The project’s foundation stone was laid on 24 January 2026. The proposed Chitrotpala Film City is expected to position Chhattisgarh as a national hub for film production and cultural events, create investment opportunities, and provide local talent with national and international exposure.

Bhoramdeo Temple Corridor
Vivek Acharya said the Bhoramdeo Corridor is being developed under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0 at a cost of about ₹146 crore, inspired by the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor model. The project was inaugurated on 1 January 2026. The nearly 1,000-year-old Bhoramdeo Temple will be preserved and showcased through this initiative, giving it wider national recognition.

Mayali–Bagicha and Sirpur development plans
The central government has approved ₹10 crore for the development of three major tourist sites under the Mayali–Bagicha circuit in Jashpur. The foundation stone was laid on 25 January 2026. A comprehensive master plan is also being prepared for the integrated development of Sirpur, with the aim of transforming it into a world heritage site.

Chitrakote as a global destination
A proposal titled “Chitrakote Indigenous Nature Retreat” is being prepared for submission to the Union Tourism Ministry. The project aims to redevelop Chitrakote as a global destination, with expected funding support of ₹250 crore from the central government.

National and international promotion
The Tourism Board has promoted Chhattisgarh at international travel events in Spain, Thailand and Vietnam, helping place the state’s destinations on the global tourism map. Partnerships with organisations such as FICCI and participation in major travel exhibitions, including Universal Travel Conclave, have strengthened nationwide outreach.

Growth in tourism-related businesses
The number of registered tour and travel operators in the state has increased sharply from just 30 in January 2024 to over 300 at present. Fifteen hotels are currently registered with the Tourism Board, with more expected to join. Improved management of resorts and motels has led to significant revenue growth, with Tourism Board profits rising from ₹2 crore in 2024–25 to ₹10 crore in 2025–26.

Employment generation and future plans
Under the Tourism Policy 2026, investments of over ₹350 crore are projected in the next five years. Through a lease-cum-development model, 17 tourism properties are planned to be outsourced to private partners, aiming to attract ₹200 crore in investment and generate hundreds of local jobs. Plans also include a tent city near Chitrakote Falls with at least 50 luxury tents and adventure activities, and the launch of an annual Chhattisgarh Travel Mart in collaboration with FICCI to promote B2B tourism.

Culture and archaeology initiatives
Acharya said artists and writers are being registered on the Chinhari Portal to ensure access to welfare schemes. During 2024–25, pensions worth about ₹34 lakh were provided to 141 registered artists and writers, while in 2025–26, around ₹31 lakh has been disbursed to 130 beneficiaries. Under the Artist Welfare Fund, financial assistance has been granted in cases of illness, accidents and death.

Bastar Pandum 2026
The Bastar Pandum festival 2026 will be organised from 10 January to 9 February in three phases to preserve and promote Bastar’s rich tribal culture. The event will showcase tribal dance, folk music, theatre, traditional attire and ornaments, rituals, handicrafts, paintings, indigenous beverages, cuisine, forest-based medicinal knowledge and regional literature.

Archaeological findings and new institutions
Ongoing excavations at Reewa village, about 25 km east of Raipur, have revealed evidence through AMS radiocarbon dating that human civilisation in the region dates back to before 800 BCE, the early Vedic period. The government also plans to establish institutions including a Bharat Bhavan multidisciplinary arts and culture centre, a State Archives, a State Museum of Anthropology and a Swami Vivekananda Memorial Museum.