Industry status, major investments, heritage corridors and global outreach mark two years of transformation in tourism, culture and archaeology
TFP Bureau, Raipur, January 28, 2026: Tourism has emerged as a key economic engine for Chhattisgarh, culture has strengthened the state’s distinct identity, and archaeology has become a source of pride, as the Tourism, Culture and Archaeology Department presented a comprehensive account of achievements and future plans over the past two years. Addressing a press conference at the Chhattisgarh Samvad Auditorium in Nava Raipur, Tourism and Culture Secretary Dr. Rohit Yadav and Managing Director of the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board and Director of Culture and Archaeology Vivek Acharya outlined how focused policy decisions and sustained implementation have reshaped the sector.
Dr. Yadav said that granting industry status to tourism has proven to be a game changer, creating a framework for integrated development by linking economic growth, cultural preservation and heritage promotion. He noted that tourism is no longer viewed merely as a service sector but as a catalyst for employment, investment and regional development, particularly in rural and tribal areas.
Following the industry status notification, the state organised Investor Connect programmes in major cities across Chhattisgarh and the country, successfully attracting private investment exceeding ₹500 crore. These investments are being channelled into tourism infrastructure, hotels, resorts, adventure tourism and destination development projects, significantly enhancing the state’s capacity to host domestic and international visitors.
Religious and cultural tourism has also received a major boost. Under the Ram Lalla Darshan Yojana, around 42,500 devotees were facilitated to travel to Ayodhya during 2024–25 through special trains operated in coordination with IRCTC. Officials said the scheme has strengthened faith-based tourism while ensuring inclusive access for devotees from different sections of society.
To promote rural and community-based tourism, the state notified the Chhattisgarh Home-Stay Policy 2025–30 on November 24, 2025. The policy provides capital investment and interest subsidies to encourage the development of homestays, with a target of establishing 500 new units across the state. This initiative is expected to generate local employment, provide supplementary income to rural families and offer tourists authentic cultural experiences.
A major milestone highlighted at the press conference was the approval of an integrated Film City and Convention Centre under the Government of India’s Special Assistance Scheme for Capital Investment. With an estimated cost of ₹350 crore, the project’s foundation stone was laid on January 24, 2026, by Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai. Dr. Yadav said the Chitrotpala Film City and the Tribal and Cultural Convention Centre will position Chhattisgarh as a national hub for film production, cultural events and creative industries, offering a global platform to local talent while attracting new investments.
In the heritage tourism segment, Vivek Acharya said the Bhoramdev Temple Corridor is being developed under Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0 at an estimated cost of ₹146 crore. Modelled on the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, the project aims to enhance pilgrim facilities while preserving the nearly thousand-year-old temple complex. The foundation stone for the corridor was laid on January 1, 2026, by Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Shekhawat and Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai.
Significant progress has also been made in destination development. The Centre has sanctioned ₹10 crore for the development of three major tourist sites under the Mayali–Bagicha circuit in Jashpur, with the foundation stone laid on January 25, 2026. A comprehensive master plan has been prepared for the integrated development of Sirpur, with the objective of securing World Heritage Site status. For Chitrakoot, a proposal titled Chitrakoot Indigenous Nature Retreat has been prepared for submission to the Ministry of Tourism, seeking ₹250 crore to redevelop the area as a global nature and cultural destination.
On the promotional front, the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board has intensified national and international outreach. Participation in global travel events in Spain, Thailand and Vietnam, along with collaboration with industry bodies such as FICCI, has placed Chhattisgarh firmly on the global tourism map. The Board has also taken part in major domestic platforms, including prominent travel conclaves and exhibitions.
As a result of these initiatives, tourism-related entrepreneurship has grown rapidly. The number of registered tour operators and travel agents in the state has increased from just 30 in January 2024 to over 300 at present. Hotel registrations have also picked up, with further growth expected. Improved operational efficiency of resorts and motels has translated into strong financial performance, with the Tourism Board’s profit rising from ₹2 crore in 2024–25 to ₹10 crore in 2025–26.
Looking ahead, Dr. Yadav said the Tourism Policy 2026 envisages investment of over ₹350 crore in the next five years. Plans are underway to attract ₹200 crore through private participation by leasing and developing 17 tourism properties, a move expected to create large-scale local employment. A tent city with at least 50 luxury tents and adventure activities is proposed near Chitrakoot Falls, while an annual Chhattisgarh Travel Mart, to be organised with FICCI, will focus on B2B tourism and attract more than 200 tour operators from across the country.
On the cultural front, Vivek Acharya said the department is strengthening artist welfare through the Chinhari portal, which facilitates registration of artists and writers for access to government schemes. In 2024–25, 141 artists received around ₹34 lakh as pension support, while 130 artists were provided ₹31 lakh in 2025–26. Under the Artist Welfare Fund, financial assistance was extended in cases of illness, accident and death, with ₹2 lakh sanctioned in 2024–25 and ₹14 lakh in 2025–26.
The department is also organising Bastar Pandum 2026 from January 10 to February 9 to preserve and promote Bastar’s rich tribal heritage. The festival will showcase tribal dance, folk music, drama, crafts, traditional cuisine, medicinal knowledge and cultural practices, reinforcing Bastar’s cultural prominence.
In archaeology, ongoing excavations at Rewa (Rewangarh) village near Raipur have yielded significant findings. Scientific AMS radiocarbon dating has confirmed the presence of human civilisation in the region prior to 800 BC, before the Late Vedic period, shedding new light on Chhattisgarh’s ancient history.
Future plans include establishing Bharat Bhavan, a State Archives, a State Human Museum and the Swami Vivekananda Memorial Museum, aimed at creating permanent institutions to preserve, research and showcase the state’s cultural and historical legacy.
Officials said the achievements of the past two years reflect a clear vision to position Chhattisgarh as a vibrant destination where economic growth through tourism goes hand in hand with cultural pride and heritage conservation.
