A 53-year-old farmer, Ashwani Bandhe, from Chhattisgarh, has taken his battle to the Supreme Court, claiming ownership of the land beneath Raipur’s Swami Vivekananda Airport. He filed a petition demanding Rs 3,500 crore in compensation, asserting that the entire airport footprint originally belonged to his family. He contended the British colonial administration took temporary possession of the estate during World War II for military use, and after the war, neither the physical possession of the land was restored nor was the alleged promised financial compensation ever delivered.
45 mineral exploration projects fast-tracked
Propelling India closer to strategic resource self-reliance, the Chhattisgarh State Geological Programming Board finalised 45 high-priority exploration projects for the upcoming fiscal year. The Geological Survey of India will spearhead 25 of these exploration initiatives, deploying advanced technologies, particularly across South Bastar. Highlighting the state’s growing economic and resource momentum, top officials from the Mineral Resources Department and the Directorate of Geology-Mining detailed Chhattisgarh’s record revenue generation and major mineral exploration achievements.
Smugglers turn state into safe transit route
Known for its peaceful landscape, Chhattisgarh is increasingly grappling with an unwanted reputation. Cross-border trafficking syndicates are exploiting the state’s geographical location as a transit corridor to smuggle narcotics and precious metals into other parts of the country. Contraband—including cannabis (ganja), heroin, and undeclared gold and silver—is routinely routed through Chhattisgarh. Most individuals arrested in connection with these inter-state rackets hail from states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Further, traffickers are adapting their disguised methods.
Ejaz Kaiser
Our reporterin Chhattisgarh
ejaz@newindianexpress.com