Chhattisgarh chief minister met Union Minister Oram to seek Rs 4,350 million (mn) for a Bastar electrification plan aimed at expanding and strengthening the power network in the region. The request covered funding needs to extend distribution lines, upgrade substations and improve last mile connections to reach remote habitations. The proposal was presented as part of ongoing state efforts to enhance power access, reliability and the quality of supply for households and public services. State officials outlined that the plan would prioritise areas with limited grid reach and would incorporate measures to reduce outages, maintain voltage stability and support essential services such as health centres and schools. Technical components referenced included installation of distribution transformers, strengthening of feeder lines and augmentation of existing substation capacity to handle increased load. The chief minister sought central support to ensure timely procurement of equipment and mobilisation of skilled technicians for implementation. Officials provided fiscal estimates and a phased implementation schedule to facilitate coordination between central ministries and state departments responsible for energy and rural development. The funding request was positioned to cover civil works, equipment procurement, project management and capacity building for local staff to operate and maintain the upgraded infrastructure. The state emphasised that enhanced electrification would underpin wider socio-economic objectives including improved education outcomes and better delivery of health services. Both parties agreed to hold follow up discussions to examine technical clearances, tendering timelines and mechanisms for fund release to maintain project momentum. The chief minister urged expedited consideration to ensure that planning could proceed without undue delay and that implementation milestones could be met. Officials said collaborative supervision and periodic reviews would be used to monitor progress and address operational challenges.