00 Public Works Department approved Rs 448 crore
00 Three bypasses to be built in Raigarh district, two each in Dhamtari and Balodabazar
Raipur. To reduce the traffic pressure on the main roads and to ensure fast and well-organized traffic, the Public Works Department has approved a total amount of more than Rs 448 crore 13 lakh for nine bypass roads in the recently concluded financial year 2025-26. Keeping in view the demands and needs of the local people, Deputy Chief Minister and Public Works Minister Shri Arun Saw had given instructions to approve the funds for these bypass roads on priority.

The Public Works Department has approved ₹152.17 billion for the Tamnar bypass road in Raigarh district. This amount will be used to construct a 6-kilometer bypass road. The department has also approved ₹70.47 billion for the ring road (bypass road) in Raigarh city. ₹7.22 billion has also been approved for the widening and strengthening of the 2-kilometer stretch from Kabir Chowk to Dabhra Road, Bypass No. 3 in Kharsia.

The department has approved ₹14.94 crore for the 4-km Bhakhara bypass in Dhamtari district and ₹7.97 crore for the 1.50-km Nari bypass. In Balodabazar, ₹88.68 crore has been approved for the 15-km-long Balodabazar bypass via Latuwa and Pangaon, and ₹20.99 crore for the 7-km-long Risda bypass.

The Public Works Department has also approved Rs 82.8 crore for the 13.40 km Koni-Mopka four-lane bypass road in Bilaspur and Rs 2.8 crore for the 1.20 km concreted Chirha bypass road in Bemetara district.
Deputy Chief Minister and Public Works Minister Arun Saw said that the state government is fully committed to providing smooth, fast, and safe traffic in both urban and rural areas. Bypass roads, bridges, and overbridges are being constructed on priority to reduce traffic congestion. This will make traffic more smooth, fast, and organized. We are continuously developing modern and strong road infrastructure for the overall development of the state.

Jagdalpur. A sudden earthquake struck the Bastar division last night, spreading panic among residents. People in Jagdalpur and several surrounding areas rushed out of their homes as soon as they felt the ground shake. However, it's a matter of relief that no casualties or major damage have been reported in this incident.

According to reports, the epicenter of the earthquake, which struck at around 11:31 pm, was in the Koraput region of Odisha. According to the National Center for Seismology, the quake measured 4.4 on the Richter scale and was approximately 5 kilometers deep. The tremor lasted only a few seconds, but the sudden shaking frightened people.

CCTV cameras installed in several homes and shops captured the vibrations during the incident. Fans and other objects can be clearly seen shaking in the footage. These videos are also rapidly going viral on social media.

As soon as the earthquake tremors were felt, people panicked and ran out of their homes into open spaces. People remained vigilant until late at night and returned to their homes only after the tremors subsided. The local administration also monitored the situation and kept teams on alert to deal with any emergency.

Experts say that the Bastar region is considered relatively safe from earthquakes, but such incidents could signal a shift in geological activity. Therefore, there is a need to remain vigilant in the future.

The administration has appealed to the people not to panic during the earthquake, but to go to safe places and avoid rumours.

Ambikapur: A heartbreaking incident has unfolded in a rented house in the city, where an 11-month-old child drowned in a bucket of water. The family is in mourning after the incident. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation.

According to reports, Deepak Tirki, a resident of Jhirmiti village in the Udaipur police station area, rents Mona Tiwari's house in the Lakshmipur area near Bilaspur Chowk in Ambikapur and works at a dhaba. Last night, when he returned home from work at around 2:30 a.m., his 11-month-old son, Ansh Tirki, was awake. After feeding the child for a while, he put him to sleep between him and his wife, Sunita, and went to sleep himself.

When his wife, Sunita, woke up in the early morning, she noticed the child was missing from the bed. Alarmed, she began searching the room. Then, she spotted a bucket full of water, where the child's head was submerged and his feet were facing upwards. The mother was horrified by this sight and immediately pulled the child out.

Hearing the noise, the father, Deepak, also woke up and, seeing the child unconscious, tried to remove the water from his stomach. They then immediately rushed him to the Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead after examination.

Upon receiving information about the incident, police arrived at the scene, registered a case and conducted a post-mortem. The body was subsequently handed over to the family. Preliminary investigations indicate it was a tragic accident. Police are conducting a detailed investigation.

Janjgir-Champa. A case has come to light of a salesman working at Krishna Hyundai fabricating a story of robbery. Upon receiving the complaint, the police launched an investigation, but during interrogation, the young man's statements repeatedly changed, raising suspicion. Upon rigorous questioning, he revealed the entire truth.

According to Kotwali police station in-charge Motilal Patel, Bilaspur resident Prayansh Devangan works as a collector for a company. He was carrying approximately 450,000 rupees. He then went to the police station and filed a complaint of robbery by unknown miscreants on the way. Considering the seriousness of the incident, police immediately swung into action and began questioning the young man.

During interrogation, his statements repeatedly became contradictory. When the police became strict, the young man broke down and admitted that he had not been robbed. He had spent the money himself and had fabricated a false story to mislead the police.

The police have registered a case of breach of trust against the accused and arrested him. Further investigation is underway.

Bilaspur. The Chhattisgarh High Court's roster is undergoing significant changes, effective April 8th. Under the new roster, cases will now be heard regularly by three division benches (DBs), as well as 13 single benches. This change aims to expedite case resolution and make the judicial process more efficient.

The first division bench, comprising Ramesh Sinha and Ravindra Kumar Agrawal, will hear public interest litigation (PILs), habeas corpus petitions, criminal appeals pending up to 2020, criminal contempt petitions, applications under Section 482, and cases related to Sections 419 and 378.

The second division bench, consisting of Sanjay K. Aggarwal and Sachin Singh Rajput, will hear all civil cases, company appeals, tax matters, and ultra vires cases until 2022. It will also hear commercial appellate matters.

The third division bench will consist of Sanjay Agarwal and N.K. Vyas. This bench will hear criminal cases not allocated to other division benches. It will also adjudicate equitable appeals dating back to 2016 and ultra vires cases dating back to 2022.

The new roster includes a total of 13 single benches, including a special single bench headed by Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha. This change is expected to expedite the resolution of pending cases.

Bilaspur. On Saturday night, a construction company's office in the city's Nehru Nagar area was found converted into a gambling den. The ACCU team raided the site and arrested nine influential gamblers. During the operation, police seized ₹84,400 in cash, 13 mobile phones, and four four-wheelers, including a BMW, Thar, and Creta. The total value of the seized items is estimated at ₹45.84 lakh.

According to reports, the police received information that large-scale gambling was taking place at the Janata Construction office. Upon receiving the information, the ACCU team conducted a planned raid. Upon arriving, the police discovered gambling taking place inside a room. The team surrounded the premises and apprehended all the accused.

The arrested accused include builders, property dealers, and other businessmen who are said to have been involved in such activities for a long time. Police took them into custody and handed them over to the Civil Lines police station, where a case has been registered against them under the Gambling Act and further action is being taken.

According to police officials, mobile phones and other electronic devices recovered from the accused will also be examined to identify other individuals involved in the network. Documents for the seized vehicles are also being examined.

The action has caused a stir in the city. Police say they will continue to take similar strict action against illegal activities.

Raipur. Amidst the intense heat in Chhattisgarh, the weather is set to change once again. The Meteorological Department has issued an alert for light rain accompanied by thunderstorms and thunderstorms in the state for the next five days. During this period, strong winds of up to 40 to 50 kilometers per hour and lightning strikes are also expected in some areas.

Temperatures will drop by 1 to 3 degrees.
According to meteorologists, due to a currently active weather system, temperatures in north and central Chhattisgarh may see a slight increase for the next 48 hours, but after that, temperatures are expected to drop by 1 to 3 degrees Celsius. In south Chhattisgarh (Bastar division), temperatures are unlikely to change significantly for the next three days.

During the past 24 hours,
light drizzle was recorded in some parts of the state. Pendra Road recorded the highest rainfall of 10 mm. Regarding heat, Rajnandgaon was the hottest in the state with a temperature of 39.5°C, while Durg recorded the lowest minimum temperature of 20.4°C.

Forecast for Raipur:
Raipur and surrounding areas are expected to remain partly cloudy in the coming days. The maximum temperature here will be around 39°C and the minimum temperature will be around 25°C.

Cool evening breezes may bring some relief from the humid heat. The Meteorological Department has advised farmers to move harvested crops and grain stored in barns to safe locations, as strong winds and sudden rains could damage crops.

Raipur. The Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, hosted for the first time by Chhattisgarh, will conclude today with a grand finale. The closing ceremony of this mega event, which began on March 25th, will be held at 5 p.m. at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium in Raipur, the capital. Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai will attend this historic event as the chief guest and award the winning athletes.

Two legendary
figures from the sports world, world champion boxer Mary Kom and former Indian football captain Baichung Bhutia, will be present as special guests at the closing ceremony. The presence of these international stars will not only encourage the tribal athletes but will also give a new identity to the sports scene in Chhattisgarh.

The Khelo India Tribal Games were successfully
organized in three major centers of the state: Raipur, Ambikapur, and Jagdalpur. Nearly 2,000 tribal athletes and officials from 30 states and union territories participated in the competition. Players showcased their skills in traditional and modern sports like archery, athletics, football, kho-kho, and kabaddi.

The event will be presided over by Deputy Chief
Minister and Sports Minister Arun Sao. Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Union Minister of State Tokhan Sahu, and MP Brijmohan Agrawal, along with several ministers and MLAs, will also attend the ceremony.

This event has not only been successful in promoting tribal sports, but has also showcased Chhattisgarh's rich cultural heritage and sports infrastructure on the national stage. This government initiative has provided a major platform for the hidden talents of rural and tribal areas to enter the mainstream.

Raipur. Raipur. On the auspicious occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai released the posters of "Rudra Sena" and "Rudra Shakti" during a special event in the capital Raipur. BJP State President Kiran Singh Deo, along with numerous public representatives, saints, and a large number of devotees, were present on the occasion.

Rajya Sabha MP Lakshmi Verma, BJP Mahila Morcha State President Vibha Awasthi, MLA Purandar Mishra, Treasurer Ram Garg, and other officials also participated in the program. This initiative was described as an important step towards the protection of Sanatan Dharma and cultural renaissance.

The objective of "Rudra Sena" and "Rudra Shakti" is to preserve and renovate monasteries and temples, and to restore the traditions of the Vedas and Upanishads in society. Rudra Sena will strive to connect young men with religion, culture, and nationalism, while Rudra Shakti will empower young women spiritually and culturally.

The inspiration behind this campaign is Swami Rajiv Lochan Das, the head priest of Dakshin Kaushal. Coordinator Mahant Surendra Das said that this is not just an organization, but a comprehensive movement for the revival of Sanatan Dharma. He urged the youth to connect with their roots.

Dr. Saurav Nirvani, Chairman of the Dharma Stambh Council, stated that the goal is to connect millions of youth with Indian culture and the eternal tradition. Several prominent figures, including Dr. Varnika Sharma, Mona Sen, and Amar Parwani, attended the event.

Chief Minister Sai said that this initiative will play an important role in building a strong nation through “culture, service and organization”.

Raipur. The closing ceremony of the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 concluded with great fanfare at the Pandit Deendayal Auditorium in Raipur. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai said the event proved to be a historic and memorable platform for tribal talent, attracting nationwide attention.

The Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, saying that under their guidance, Chhattisgarh had the honor of hosting this national event. He announced that this sporting event will now be held annually in Chhattisgarh.

Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao said that the Khelo India Tribal Games have opened doors to new opportunities by providing a national platform for tribal athletes. He congratulated all the athletes and organizers for making the event a success.

Chief Minister Sai said that tribal society and sports have a deep connection. Sports like archery, running, and wrestling are part of their tradition. Athletes from 30 states and union territories across the country participated, making it a great Kumbh of unity and culture.

Cash prizes for medal winners were announced at the ceremony. In individual events, gold will be awarded ₹200,000, silver ₹150,000, and bronze ₹100,000, while in team events, gold will be awarded ₹100,000, silver ₹75,000, and bronze ₹50,000.

Chhattisgarh won a total of 19 medals. International boxer Mary Kom and footballer Baichung Bhutia attended the closing ceremony as special guests.

Sukma/Raipur. A new picture of change is emerging in Naxal-affected areas, where surrendered youth are now moving forward on the path of self-reliance. Under the rehabilitation policy implemented under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai, 32 surrendered youth in Sukma district have been given the opportunity to start a new life.

Collector Amit Kumar distributed mason kits to these youth at a program held at the Livelihood College at the district headquarters. During the event, he interacted with the youth and encouraged them to move forward with confidence. The Collector stated that the goal of rehabilitation is not limited to surrender, but rather to providing youth with permanent employment, self-reliance, and social respect.

He said that the mason kits provided are not just tools, but a strong foundation for the youth's new lives. Given the growing potential in construction, masonry skills will provide them with both employment and self-employment opportunities. With hard work and discipline, young people can progress to become skilled craftsmen, contractors, and entrepreneurs.

Through this initiative, the district administration has sent a clear message that returning to the mainstream is just as important as living a life with self-respect. Providing mason kits will increase the chances of young people finding immediate work in construction, allowing them to improve their families' financial situation.

This initiative is not only bringing positive changes in the lives of the youth but is also strengthening the environment of peace, development and trust in the Naxal affected areas.

Raipur/Sukma. Once plagued by Naxalite fears and a drinking water crisis, Lakhapal, a remote village in Sukma district, has now become a new example of development. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai and the active initiative of the district administration, clean drinking water is now available to every household in the village.

In this water-scarce village, the dream of "water for every home" has now come true. Through the effective implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission and the state's Niyyad Nellanar Scheme, 117 households have been provided with tap connections. Four solar pump-based tanks were installed at a cost of approximately ₹7.2 million, ensuring a regular water supply throughout the village.

While villagers previously relied on streams, wells, and boreholes for water, they now have access to pure water at home. This is a significant relief, especially for women and children who previously had to fetch water from distant lands. The faces of the village women now reflect a sense of peace and contentment.

Collector Amit Kumar explained that this initiative is not limited to providing water, but has also brought positive changes to the health and lifestyle of the villagers. Waterborne diseases have decreased and sanitation levels in the village have improved.

The villagers of Lakhapal say that previously, the village was filled with fear and deprivation, but now development is the talk of the town. After receiving water, the villagers are also moving towards self-reliance by cultivating vegetables.

Today, Lakhapal is proving that with proper implementation of schemes, even remote and Naxal-affected areas can see the light of development. Now, this village has overcome fear and thirst and is on the path to development and self-reliance.

Raipur/Sukma. Once plagued by Naxalite fears and a drinking water crisis, Lakhapal, a remote village in Sukma district, has now become a new example of development. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai and the active initiative of the district administration, clean drinking water is now available to every household in the village.

In this water-scarce village, the dream of "water for every home" has now come true. Through the effective implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission and the state's Niyyad Nellanar Scheme, 117 households have been provided with tap connections. Four solar pump-based tanks were installed at a cost of approximately ₹7.2 million, ensuring a regular water supply throughout the village.

While villagers previously relied on streams, wells, and boreholes for water, they now have access to pure water at home. This is a significant relief, especially for women and children who previously had to fetch water from distant lands. The faces of the village women now reflect a sense of peace and contentment.

Collector Amit Kumar explained that this initiative is not limited to providing water, but has also brought positive changes to the health and lifestyle of the villagers. Waterborne diseases have decreased and sanitation levels in the village have improved.

The villagers of Lakhapal say that previously, the village was filled with fear and deprivation, but now development is the talk of the town. After receiving water, the villagers are also moving towards self-reliance by cultivating vegetables.

Today, Lakhapal is proving that with proper implementation of schemes, even remote and Naxal-affected areas can see the light of development. Now, this village has overcome fear and thirst and is on the path to development and self-reliance.

Raipur. Aimed at empowering women financially and improving their quality of life, the state government-run Mahtari Vandan Yojana is now creating a powerful story of change at the grassroots level. Under this scheme, women are provided with financial assistance of ₹1,000 per month, moving them toward self-reliance.

Mrs. Hema Singh of Majhgwan village, Marwahi development block, Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district, is a living example of this. Once struggling with financial hardship, Hema Singh turned the funds from this scheme into an opportunity. She saved the monthly assistance and opened a small grocery store near her home.

Gradually, her business took off, and her income began to stabilize, meeting the needs of the villagers. Today, her shop has not only become the foundation of her financial strength, but has also significantly improved her family's standard of living. She is now able to provide a better education to her children and save for the future.

Hema Singh says that while she used to worry about daily expenses, she now has confidence and contentment in her life. She credits the scheme for this change and expresses her gratitude to Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai.

Mahatari Vandan Yojana has emerged as a new hope for women, which is inspiring them to play a strong role in the society along with economic independence.

Raipur: Karnataka put up a stellar performance to win the overall title in the first edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, while hosts Chhattisgarh finished ninth with 19 medals.

Karnataka topped the medal tally with 23 gold, 8 silver, and 7 bronze medals. Odisha finished second with 21 gold, and Jharkhand third with 16 gold. Odisha also finished as the leading medal winner with 57 total medals.

Approximately 3,800 athletes from 30 states and union territories participated in the competition. Competitions were held in nine sports, including archery, athletics, football, hockey, swimming, weightlifting, and wrestling. Athletes competed for a total of 106 gold medals.

Host Chhattisgarh made a strong presence felt, winning 3 gold, 10 silver, and 6 bronze medals. In the men's football final, West Bengal defeated Chhattisgarh 1-0 to win the gold medal, while Chhattisgarh settled for silver.

In archery, Komalika Bari of Jharkhand won gold in the women's recurve individual event, while Arjun Khara of Odisha took gold in the men's. Jharkhand also won gold in the men's recurve team event.

Swimming was a major contributor to Karnataka's success, winning 15 gold medals. Manikanth L of Karnataka was the most successful athlete with 8 gold and 1 silver.

Twenty-five states won medals at the event, with 20 securing at least one gold. This indicates the widespread and bright future of tribal sporting talent across the country.

Raipur. Abdul Fatah, a young athlete from Lakshadweep, broke new ground with his historic leap at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026. The 18-year-old, a night fisherman, cleared 7.03 meters to win the long jump gold, giving Lakshadweep its first major medal.

Hailing from the tiny Amini Island, located between Kavaratti and Kadmat islands, Fatah comes from a family of fishermen. To support his family, he fishes at night and then heads out for training in the morning. Financial constraints forced him to leave his studies after 12th grade, but he never gave up on his passion.

Interestingly, Fatah initially played football, but coach Mohammed Qasim recognized his running and jumping abilities and encouraged him to take up athletics. He then began honing his skills in the long jump and sprint.

Despite the lack of resources, Fatah's spirit remained undeterred. Lakshadweep lacks synthetic tracks, so he practices in mud pits and local fields. His hard work, combined with difficult conditions, has been the driving force behind his success.

Fatah's achievement is also special because he became the first athlete from Lakshadweep to clear 7 meters. His success has become an inspiration not only for him but for the entire Union Territory.

Now, he has his sights set on even bigger goals. Fatah hopes this achievement will lead to better facilities and opportunities, allowing him to win medals for the country at the international level.

Bilaspur. A shocking incident that shames humanity has come to light from the Sarkanda police station area of ​​Bilaspur, the judicial capital. A middle-aged man has been found committing an unnatural act on a helpless dog. After a video of this inhumane act went viral on social media, widespread outrage has spread throughout the city.

An objectionable video went viral on social media.
According to reports, an objectionable video circulated rapidly on social media platforms late Tuesday night. The video is said to be from the Chingarajapara area of ​​the Sarkanda region. In the video, a man is seen forcibly performing unnatural acts on a dog. As soon as the video became public, animal lovers and local citizens were outraged, and demands for strict action against the accused arose.

Social worker's initiative led to the identification of the accused.
In this sensitive and shameful case, social worker Ankita Pandey Shukla acted swiftly and began investigating the video. Based on local information and video evidence, the accused was identified as Bhuneshwar Bhoi, a resident of Chingarajapara. After confirming the identity, Ankita Pandey went to the Sarkanda police station and filed a written complaint, submitting the evidence to the police, and demanding immediate arrest.

Police Action and Legal Provisions
Upon receiving the complaint, Sarkanda police took the matter seriously. Such cruelty and unnatural acts against animals constitute a serious offense under the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Police have registered a case against the accused under relevant sections and have initiated further legal action. Local residents have strongly condemned the incident and expressed concern over the growing prevalence of this perverse mentality in society.