CM Devendra Fadnavis inaugurates state bus service connecting Gadchiroli villages | X
Mumbai: Remote villages in Gadchiroli district have finally been connected to the state’s transport grid. For the first time, nearly 15 villages along the Gardewada-Wangeturi route now have access to bus services. The service was inaugurated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who marked the occasion by travelling with villagers on the bus.
The symbolic journey into this Maoist stronghold on New Year’s Day sparked widespread discussion and was hailed as a significant milestone. Villagers expressed their thanks to the chief minister for this long-awaited development.
In the Etapalli taluka of the district, until a few months ago, buses only operated up to Gardewada. Beyond that, towards the Chhattisgarh border, there were no proper roads or bridges for several kilometres within Maharashtra’s territory. This area was under the control of Maoists.
However, two years ago, the Gadchiroli police began strengthening their dominance in the area. Gradually, police assistance centres were established, and the Public Works Department also took a bold step by constructing a 32-kilometre road from Gatta to Wangeturi.
The initiative by the government and administrative authorities has yielded significant results, with an ST bus now operating in the region 76 years after Independence. For the first time, bus service has been extended beyond Gardewada up to the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border.
Eleven Naxalites surrender
Eleven Naxalites, including eight women, surrendered in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday.
The individuals had bounties exceeding Rs1 crore on them in Maharashtra, and rewards were also announced by the Chhattisgarh government. Fadnavis promised that they would be fully rehabilitated as part of the government’s efforts to bring them into the mainstream.
In 2024, 24 Naxalites were neutralised and 18 were arrested. Over the past six months, 16 Naxalites surrendered, and with 11 more surrendering recently, a total of 27 individuals have joined the mainstream.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently said he wanted to continue as the guardian minister of Gadchiroli.
Although the tribal belt is a part of India’s Red Corridor and has seen intense Naxal activity for the past seven decades, Gadchiroli is also rich in natural resources such as mines and minerals.
It is my wish to take charge as guardian minister of Gadchiroli. We are determined to make Gadchiroli the next steel hub of India. It has huge potential with abundant resources…The tribal belt will account for 30 per cent of the country’s iron and steel… it will open the doors for holistic development and employment,” Fadnavis said in Nagpur last week.
