Remote villages in Chhattisgarh’s Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai district received electricity on June 26, 2026, for the first time since India’s independence [1].
The project marks a significant infrastructure milestone for the Abujhmad region, where isolated communities have lacked basic power for decades. This development is intended to integrate marginalized hamlets into the state's economic and social framework.
The electrification reached several remote areas, including the villages of Gwalgundi, Kasibahara, and Amatola [1, 2]. According to reports, these communities had been without power for 78 years [3]. The initiative was executed under the Chief Minister’s Electrification Scheme, led by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and the state government [1, 2].
To bring power to these regions, the government installed a new 11 kV line [3]. The infrastructure project involved the construction of a power line spanning 47 kilometres [3]. The total cost of the project was ₹3.82 crore [3].
State officials said the scheme is specifically aimed at developing Naxal-affected areas. By providing basic amenities to these remote communities, the government intends to improve the quality of life and security in the region [1, 2]. The arrival of electricity is expected to facilitate better healthcare and education services in the Abujhmad area, which has historically been difficult to access due to its geography and security challenges.
The project represents a shift in the state's approach to managing the insurgency-prone belt, prioritizing infrastructure as a means of stability.
“Remote villages in Chhattisgarh’s Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai district received electricity... for the first time since India’s independence.”
The extension of the power grid into the Abujhmad region is a strategic effort by the Chhattisgarh government to counter the influence of Naxalite insurgents. By delivering tangible development—such as electricity and infrastructure—the state seeks to win the trust of isolated populations and diminish the appeal of armed rebellion through improved living standards.
