During the bhumipoojan ceremony for the new supercritical thermal power project at Korba (West) in Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel laid the foundation stone for the largest 1320 MW power plant.

Chhattisgarh boasts the country's highest per capita power consumption, and the first power plant was inaugurated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1957. Since then, Korba has had the status of an energy capital. The government successfully implemented a Half Electricity Bill scheme to provide half electricity bills, providing 24-hour electricity to all.

Notably, 42 lakh families now receive 400 units of electricity at half the price. The ambitious project by Hasdeo Thermal Power Station will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 12,915 crore.

Chief Minister Baghel expressed his satisfaction with the rapid progress in obtaining permissions for the environment and coal, paving the way for the new power plant. He anticipates the plant will be operational by 2028, boosting power generation capacity in the state by 40 MW. In addition to this, the state government is actively exploring solar energy initiatives and continuously improving the power system.

The ‘Mor Bijli’ app facilitates bill payments and allows citizens to report power cuts and faults. The state government has implemented various schemes to enhance public facilities, including the announcement of support prices for 67 types of forest produce. The Rural Industrial Park (RIPA) is generating employment in Gauthans, significantly contributing to the rural economy's growth.

At Ghantaghar Maidan of Korba, Chief Minister Baghel carried out the bhumipoojan of the new supercritical thermal power project Korba (West) to be constructed by Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company’s Hasdeo Thermal Power Station, estimated at Rs 12,915 crore.

Additionally, CM Baghel laid the foundation stone, carried out bhumipoojan, and inaugurated 72 development works across different departments, worth Rs 112.13 crore. He laid the foundation stone for 34 development works worth Rs 57.43 crore and inaugurated 38 development works worth Rs 54.70 crore. In another event, the Chief Minister unveiled the Chhattisgarh Mahatari statue at the Korba Collectorate premises and inaugurated the newly constructed e-library at Dingapur.

During the program, Deputy Chief Minister T. S. Singh Deo highlighted the ongoing development works and the recent bhumipoojan of the power plant, emphasising its positive impact on reducing pollution. He expressed optimism that electricity generation in the future would shift from coal to water-based sources.

Revenue Minister Jaisingh Agrawal thanked the Chief Minister for providing numerous gifts to the Korba district. MP Deepak Baij remarked that a new era of development has commenced in the Korba district, attributing it to the Chhattisgarh Government's commitment to bring progress across regions from Surguja to Bastar.

Bhupesh Baghel

Foundation stone laid for Super Critical Thermal Power Station

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel laid the foundation stone for the 1320 MW Super Critical Thermal Power Station in Korba district, aiming to elevate Chhattisgarh's energy sector to new heights. The project's cost is 9.78 crore per MW, and it will comprise two units of 660 MW each. Anticipating future demands, two additional units of 660 MW are planned for Korba. This state-of-the-art power station will be the largest and most advanced in Chhattisgarh, bolstering self-sufficiency in power generation and generating new employment opportunities for the state.

Virtual inauguration of e-library

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel virtually inaugurated the Pyarelal Kavar Memorial Library at Dingapur in Korba. The library, established at a cost of Rs 3 crore 95 lakh, is designed to enhance the studying environment for the youth preparing for competitive exams in Korba. With a focus on student convenience, the library boasts modern amenities such as a smart library and a smart kids room.

For online studies, the library has 40 computers, while the Smart Kids Room features 10 tablets and an interactive panel for intellectual development, drawing, and painting exercises through television.

Medical College in Korba will be constructed on 124 acres of land with an approved budget of Rs. 325 crore.

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel laid the foundation stone for the new building of the Late. Bisahu Das Mahant Memorial Medical College on 124.24-acre land with an approved budget of Rs. 325 crores in Bhulsidih village in Korba district.

The Government Medical College Korba, inaugurated on March 2, 2021, by the Chief Minister, was renamed as per the local people's demand in honour of Bisahu Das Mahant. The upcoming medical college is poised to be a crucial addition to the region's healthcare infrastructure.

Sports academy will provide national-level training

Chief Minister Baghel inaugurated the academy at the Priyadarshini Indira Stadium complex in Korba, offering specialised training in football, volleyball, basketball, and swimming. The academy can accommodate 20 boys and 20 girls for football training, 12 players each for volleyball in both categories and 10 boys and girls for basketball, along with 8 boys and girls for swimming.

The district administration has ensured all necessary resources are available for the smooth functioning of the academy, enabling accommodation and training for up to 100 sportspersons. The initiative aims to nurture national-level players and provide a platform for their growth and success in the field of sports.

Chief Minister inaugurates Swami Atmanand English Medium College

Chief Minister Baghel inaugurated the Swami Atmanand Government English Medium Adarsh College in Korba, offering higher education in English to students in the district. The college will provide courses in Arts, Commerce, Science, and Computer Science and is affiliated with Atal Bihari Vajpayee University, Bilaspur. Admissions for the 2023–24 session have commenced. The college is equipped with modern equipment and traditional teaching facilities, ensuring students receive comprehensive benefits from their studies.

MP Jyotsna Mahant, Member of Gau Seva Aayog Prashant Mishra, Mayor Rajkishore Prasad, District Panchayat President Shivkala Chhatrapal Kanwar, Pali Tanakhar MLA Mohit Ram Kerketta, Katghora MLA Purushottam Kanwar, Chairman of Municipal Corporation Shyam Sundar Soni, Secretary of Energy Department Ankit Anand, Secretary of Medical Education P. Dayanand, Divisional Commissioner Bhim Singh, IG BN Meena, Collector Sanjeev Kumar Jha, SP Uday Kiran, CEO of the District Panchayat, Vishwadeep, local public representatives, and senior Officers were present.