From Bhilai to Lara, PRAGATI speeds up stalled projects in Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Thursday said several crucial infrastructure and energy projects that had remained pending for decades are now being completed in a “time-bound and effective manner” through the IT-based monitoring system PRAGATI.

PRAGATI — Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation — is a digital platform that enables real-time monitoring of major government projects. Sai said the system reflects the Union government’s “result-oriented, accountable, and decisive” approach to governance.

“The positive impact of the PRAGATI platform is clearly visible in Chhattisgarh. The modernisation of the Bhilai Steel Plant has not only accelerated rail production in the country, but has also created employment opportunities for thousands of youth. This initiative has strengthened the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ while giving a new direction to industrial growth,” the Chief Minister said.

He also highlighted the completion of the NTPC Lara Super Thermal Power Project in Raigarh district, which has a production capacity of 1,600 MW. Sai said the project has ensured uninterrupted electricity supply to Chhattisgarh and six other states, reinforcing energy security and providing momentum to industrial and agricultural activities.

In a post on X, Sai said: “The PRAGATI platform has developed a robust mechanism for project monitoring, continuous review, and swift resolution of bottlenecks. Clear objectives, rapid implementation, and tangible outcomes define the new work culture of India, which is paving the way towards achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047 (developed India).”

According to a state government statement, the 50th meeting of PRAGATI, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on December 31, has provided fresh impetus not only at the national level but also to Chhattisgarh’s development journey.

PRAGATI is an ICT-based platform designed to promote proactive governance and time-bound implementation, making project monitoring and issue resolution more effective. Over the past decade, projects worth more than Rs 85 lakh crore have gained momentum through the platform, benefiting sectors such as infrastructure, energy, railways, roads and coal across the country. Several key projects from Chhattisgarh are part of this initiative.

During the meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, special emphasis was laid on the modernisation and expansion of the Bhilai Steel Plant, which was initially approved in 2007. The statement said regular reviews and inter-agency coordination through PRAGATI meetings accelerated the pace of work, ensuring targeted progress and timely execution.

“The modernisation of Bhilai Steel Plant has significantly enhanced production capacity while energising Chhattisgarh’s industrial growth, employment generation, expansion of ancillary industries, and the regional economy. This has further strengthened the state’s position as one of India’s leading steel production hubs,” it said.

Similarly, the Lara Super Thermal Power Project, approved in 2009, received renewed momentum under the PRAGATI framework through high-level reviews, timely directions and continuous monitoring, resulting in substantial progress in implementation, the government added.

“Today, the Lara Super Thermal Power Project has emerged as one of the key pillars strengthening national energy security. The project has not only augmented power generation capacity, but has also reinforced Chhattisgarh’s identity as the ‘Power Hub of India’, bringing greater stability to both state and national energy systems,” the statement said.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Modi highlighted that the PRAGATI platform has infused new strength into cooperative federalism by enhancing both speed and trust in development works through coordinated efforts of the Centre and the states.

Sai said the 50th PRAGATI meeting was of far-reaching significance for the nation as well as for Chhattisgarh, noting that the system established under the leadership of the Prime Minister to ensure time-bound completion of development projects has directly benefited the state.

He said renewed momentum for major projects such as the modernisation of the Bhilai Steel Plant and the Lara Super Thermal Power Project is clear evidence that PRAGATI has emerged as a model of solution-oriented governance. The completion of these projects has led to growth in industrial development, energy capacity, investment, employment and allied economic activity in the state, he added.

Expressing confidence in the platform’s impact, the Chief Minister said that with regular monitoring and accountability through PRAGATI, Chhattisgarh will continue to play a decisive role in achieving the goal of a Developed India by 2047.