“Anandachi” Bus Arrives in the Remote Areas of Gadchiroli District

Mumbai/Gadchiroli, 23: Gadchiroli, the state’s final district, has long been known as underdeveloped, extremely remote, and affected by Naxalism. However, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has embarked on vigorous developmental initiatives to erase this reputation. Taking on the role of guardian minister of the district, he has been persistently working to integrate the local citizens into the mainstream and bring the benefits of development. Acting on the requests of villagers from Murumgaon, Penthari, and Rangi in the Dhanora taluka, the state transport corporation has launched bus services. These services have brought joy to the residents of these remote villages, earning the nickname “Anandachi Bus” for the locals. Local residents had earlier submitted a memorandum to then Deputy Chief Minister and district guardian minister Devendra Fadnavis, requesting the initiation of bus services for the convenience of patients, students, and tribal citizens. The sensitive and prompt response of the then Deputy Chief Minister led to instructions being issued to the Gadchiroli Divisional Controller of the State Transport Corporation. Consequently, buses have been introduced in Murumgaon, Penthari, and Rangi villages in Dhanora taluka, with the frequency of services also being increased. Under the Gadchiroli division of the transport department in Dhanora taluka, Murumgaon now has 10 trips through 03 buses, Penthari has 08 trips through 03 buses, and Rangi has 06 trips through 02 buses. Daily, 285 passengers travel from Murumgaon, 335 from Penthari, and 242 from Rangi. The initiation of these bus services has greatly benefited the entirely tribal populations of these villages, making it more convenient for them to travel to the taluka headquarters for office work or to reach hospitals. These villages are located at the very edge of Gadchiroli district, with the state of Chhattisgarh only 9 kilometers away, making the service invaluable to residents of such inaccessible areas. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is also striving to transform Gadchiroli into a steel hub by attracting large-scale industries. In recent days, the Chief Minister himself traveled by bus in these extremely remote areas, demonstrating that Gadchiroli is no longer a Naxal-affected district, but one that is rapidly advancing on the path of development.