( Left : Mr. Neelu Sharma, Chairman, Chhattisgarh Tourism Board and right Mr. Vivek Acahrya, MD of Chhattisgarh Tourism Board at Kolkata today)
* West Bengal tops in domestic source market of Chattisgarh Tourism, followed by Maharashtra and Odisha
BY DEBAJYOTI CHAKRABORTY
KOLKATA | 9 JULY 2025
The Chhattisgarh government will very soon float a tender to develop the country’s most hi tech Film City on 100 acres of land on Public – Private – Partnership (PPP) model , which will not only boost the tourism sector of the state but will also generate local employment opportunities, said Mr. Neelu Sharma, Chairman of Chhattisgarh Tourism Board.
In an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the Connect Bengal at Hyatt Regency in Kolkata today, Mr. Neelu Sharma, who holds a cabinet rank in the Chhattisgarh government has informed that already personalities like Bollywood film producer Boney Kapoor, Vipul Amrutlal Shah ( Kerala Story), film director Harry Baweja, Gemini Studios of Chennai in Tamil Nadu have visited and inspected the spot and has evinced interest on the greenfield Film City project in Chhattisgarh to be set up in New Raipur on 100 acres on land. The proposed upcoming Film City will further promote the film tourism in Chhattisgarh, one of the most scenic states of Incredible India, experts feel.
“ Under the leadership of our chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai, who is also our tourism minister along with the vision of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chhattisgarh Tourism Department is gearing up in the days to come to become the top destination in the country. Last year a whopping 2.5 crores people visited Chhattisgarh and it was an increase of about 25 percent,” Mr. Neelu Sharma added.
He further said that Chhattisgarh Tourism department has undertaken various projects worth Rs.350 crores for further infrastructure developments and new projects in places like Bastar, Tiratgarh, Chitrakoot Waterfall ) called Niagara of Chhattisgarh) , Konger Valley, Maa Danteshwari Temple, Gangrel Dam ( called mini Goa of Chhattisgarh) in Danteri – Sherpur, Viswa ki Dharowar, Champaran Jungle Safari, Maa Bageshwari Dongargarh.
For religious tourism a new corridor will be developed from Ghoramdeo Shiva Temple, Ratanpur Ma Maya Temple, Chandra hasti mandir, Bageshwar Hill, Uddhargarh Temple. “ We are also working under Shakti Peeth Yojana, Prasad Yojana, and Swadesh Darshan Yojona. Out of the 14 years in Banavas, Lord Shree ram stayed 12 years in Chhattisgarh and Ram one Gaman Path has been developed under Prasad Yojana, he returned back to Ayodhya through Chhattisgarh after completing his 14 years of Banavas,” said Mr. Neelu Sharma.
We are developing Bastar ( the most Moaist affected region of the country) and Surguja ( the main point is called Shimla of Chhattisgarh) and a new homestay policy has been approved by the Chhattisgarh government will benefit the tribal people. In those two places homestays have been approved in the days to come there will be homestays in other parts of the state, he added.
Already, Chhattisgarh has become the 13 th state in the country to announce the tourism sector as an industry.
Mr. Vivek Acharya, IFS and Managing Director of Chhattisgarh Tourism Board said that out of 42 properties already 16 have been handed over lease in PPP model and thirteen more are in the pipeline and tender will be floated shortly. Even the IHCL has evinced interest in one of its iconic resort properties located at the hilltop. The Bastar Dussehra Festival is the biggest cultural attraction of the state at Jagdalpur.
“ The footfall has further increased this year and we hope to better last year’s record with West Bengal being our top domestic source market followed by Maharashtra and Odisha. To further promote tourism in West Bengal, the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board has participated in the Connect Bengal and TTF Kolkata this year by setting up pavilions and bringing in a strong delegation team comprising tour operators, hoteliers and top officials,”he added.
Mr. Vivek Acharya further added that the naxalites have been marginalized and by 2026 it will be totally eliminated. “Bastar, which was once notorious for maoist insurgent activities has transformed and extended to homestay tourism with tribal development. New guides will be appointed and employment scope will also increase. Dhoom Dharas village was recognized by the United Nations as a “Best Tourism Village”, while Kanger Valley has been added to UNESCO’s tentative list. Local initiatives like homestay programs, cultural festivals, and the Bastar Olympics are providing both income and pride to tribal communities,”he concluded.
The connectivity is also increasing with new roads, highways, railway corridors and airports with other parts of the country.
Advertisement:
Add Comment