Tourism and Culture Department Secretary Dr. Rohit Yadav presented achievements of the last two years and future action plan in a press conference.
Raipur, January 28, 2026/ Dr. Rohit Yadav, Secretary, Tourism and Culture Department, Government of Chhattisgarh, and Mr. Vivek Acharya, Managing Director, Chhattisgarh Tourism Board and Director, Culture and Archaeology, provided a detailed account of the achievements of the past two years and future action plans at a press conference held at the Chhattisgarh Samvaad Auditorium in Nava Raipur. Officials stated that the state government has established a model of coordinated progress in economic development, cultural preservation, and heritage enrichment by granting industry status to tourism.
Tourism granted industry status
Tourism Department – Fast strides towards investment, employment, and global recognition
The Chhattisgarh government’s decision to grant industry status to tourism has opened new avenues for private investment. Through investor connect programs organized in major cities of the state and the country, private investment of over 500 crore rupees has been secured. This will boost tourism infrastructure, hotels, resorts, and adventure tourism activities. Under the Ramlala Darshan Yojana, in agreement with IRCTC, approximately 42,500 devotees were taken on Ayodhya darshan by special trains in 2024-25. This scheme has proven to be a significant step towards promoting religious tourism. A new homestay policy has been implemented to promote rural tourism in the state. The target is to develop 500 new homestays. The state government notified the Chhattisgarh Homestay Policy 2025-30 on November 24, 2025. This policy provides capital investment subsidy and interest subsidy to encourage the development of new homestays across the state, supporting rural and community-based tourism; the state government has also approved a budget for this.
Film City and Convention Center – 350 crore project
Dr. Rohit Yadav informed that under the Special Assistance Scheme to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) of the Government of India, approval has been received for the development of an integrated Film City and Convention Center, with a total estimated cost of 350 crore rupees. The foundation stone was laid on January 24, 2026, by Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai. This is a major step towards establishing Chhattisgarh as a national film production hub. The construction of Chitrotpala Film City will give Chhattisgarh a new identity in the field of film production nationally and globally. Through this ambitious initiative, Chhattisgarh will not only move towards becoming a major center for film production and cultural events but this project will also give new momentum to the state’s creative economy. The construction of Chitrotpala Film City and Tribal and Cultural Convention Center will provide a national-international platform for local talent, create new investment opportunities, and further strengthen Chhattisgarh’s cultural identity globally. This project will open new doors for the development of the state’s youth, artists, and the tourism sector in the coming years.
Bhoramdev Temple Corridor Project
Director, Culture and Archaeology Mr. Vivek Acharya stated that the Bhoramdev Corridor is being constructed under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0 of the Central Government. This project is being developed at a cost of approximately 146 crore rupees on the lines of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi. This is an important step towards giving it a national identity. On January 1, 2026, Union Tourism Minister Mr. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai laid the foundation stone for this project. The Bhoramdev temple is a historical heritage of about a thousand years, and through the construction of this corridor, efforts are being made to preserve it for the next thousand years.
Miyali-Bagicha Development, Master Plan for Sirpur Integrated Development Prepared
The Government of India has approved 10 crore rupees for the development of three major tourist destinations under the Miyali-Bagicha circuit in Jashpur. The foundation stone for this project was laid by Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai on January 25, 2026. A master plan is being developed for Sirpur Integrated Development to transform Sirpur into a world heritage site.
Chitrakote Global Destination Development
A comprehensive proposal named Chitrakote Indigenous Nature Retreat is being prepared for submission to the Ministry of Tourism. The objective of this project is to redevelop Chitrakote on a global scale. Funding of 250 crore rupees is expected from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, for this project.
Nationwide promotion of Chhattisgarh Tourism
Tourism Secretary informed that the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board participated in global travel events held in countries like Spain, Thailand, and Vietnam, thereby promoting Chhattisgarh tourism both domestically and internationally, giving Chhattisgarh’s tourist destinations a place on the global map. The Chhattisgarh Tourism Board has also partnered with organizations like FICCI to ensure Chhattisgarh Tourism’s participation in major promotional platforms and events across the country. It actively participated in renowned travel exhibitions like the Universal Travel Conclave.
Rapid increase in registration of tourism-related businesses in the state
Till January 2024, the number of tour operators and travel operators in Chhattisgarh was only 30, but currently, this number has exceeded 300. Additionally, 15 hotels are registered with the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board, with the possibility of further increase. Due to the operational efficiency and strategic management of resorts and motels, there has been a significant increase in the revenue of the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board. The financial profit of the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board, which was 2 crore rupees in FY 2024-25, increased fivefold to 10 crore rupees in FY 2025-26.
Employment for local individuals through Chhattisgarh tourism, target to develop 500 new homestays
Secretary Dr. Rohit Yadav stated that under the Chhattisgarh Tourism Policy 2026, an investment of more than 350 crore rupees is estimated in the next five years. The Chhattisgarh Tourism Board plans to attract an investment of 200 crore rupees by outsourcing 17 tourism properties through the Lease-cum-Development model with private participation, creating employment opportunities for hundreds of local individuals. The target is to develop 500 new homestays across the state. Similarly, there is a plan to develop a tent city in Chitrakote, under which at least 50 luxury tents will be set up near Chitrakote Falls along with adventure activities. An annual flagship event named Chhattisgarh Travel Mart will be established in collaboration with FICCI. This event will focus on promoting B2B tourism, with plans to attract over 200 tour operators from Indian states.
Achievements of the Department of Culture and Archaeology
Director of Culture and Archaeology Mr. Vivek Acharya informed that the Culture Department is registering artists and litterateurs of Chhattisgarh on the Chinhari portal, so that they can benefit from the schemes run by the department. He stated that financial assistance of approximately 34 lakh rupees was provided as pension to 141 registered artists and litterateurs on the Chinhari portal in FY 2024-25, and a total of 130 artists received approximately 31 lakh rupees in FY 2025-26. Similarly, under the Artist Welfare Fund Scheme, in case of illness, accident, and death of artists and litterateurs or their family members, a total of 2 lakh rupees was sanctioned to 08 needy litterateurs/artists in FY 2024-25, and 14 lakh rupees was sanctioned for a total of 44 cases in FY 2025-26. The state government stands with Chhattisgarh’s artists and litterateurs in every joy and sorrow, and the Culture Department is committed to the interests of the artists of Chhattisgarh state.
Bastar Pandum
The Chhattisgarh Culture Department is organizing Bastar Pandum 2026 to preserve and promote the rich tribal culture of Bastar. This festival will be held in three phases from January 10 to February 9, 2026. Tribal dance, folk songs, drama, musical instruments, costumes-jewelry, worship methods, handicrafts, painting, tribal drinks, traditional cuisine, regional literature, forest-based medicinal knowledge, tourism, and cultural awareness will be enhanced.
Achievements in the field of Archaeology
Archaeological excavations underway in village Rewan (Rewangarh), located about 25 kilometers east of Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, have brought forth new and significant information about the ancient history of the state. Scientific AMS Radiocarbon (Carbon-14) dating conducted during excavations by the Directorate of Archaeology, Archives, and Museums, Department of Culture, has confirmed that human civilization in this region had developed even before the Late Vedic period, i.e., before 800 BCE.
There are plans to establish Bharat Bhavan Multi-Art and Cultural Center, State Archives, State Museum of Anthropology, and Swami Vivekananda Memorial Museum.