In a cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav at the Maharaja Chhatrasal Convention Centre in Khajuraho, several landmark decisions were taken to accelerate development in the Bundelkhand region. Major approvals covered industrial growth, employment generation, irrigation expansion, new roads, health infrastructure and wildlife conservation.

Industrial boost worth ₹24,240 crore

The Council of Ministers approved a special industrial incentive package for the Maswasi Grant Industrial Area in Sagar to fast-track industrial development in Bundelkhand. The package is expected to attract investments worth ₹24,240 crore and generate direct employment for around 29,100 people. Over the next five years, infrastructure worth ₹539.54 crore will be developed and 42 industrial units will be established across 608.93 hectares of land.

To encourage investors:

• Land interest and annual rent have been fixed at just ₹1 per square metre

• Development fees will be paid in 20 equal annual installments

• Maintenance charges fixed at ₹8 per square metre per year

• 100 percent reimbursement of stamp duty and registration fees

• Five-year exemption from electricity charges after commercial production begins

Large industries will follow the Industrial Promotion Policy 2025 and Investment Promotion Scheme 2025, while MSMEs will fall under the MSME Development and Promotion Policy 2025. Cement units have been excluded from this special package.

Sagar–Damoh 4-lane road project approved

The cabinet approved ₹2,059.85 crore for the 76.68 km long Sagar–Damoh four-lane road project under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). Of this, 40 percent will come from the State Highway Fund and 60 percent through semi-annual state budget annuities for 15 years. An additional ₹323.41 million has been sanctioned for land acquisition and related works.

The project includes 13 underpasses, 3 major bridges, 9 medium bridges, 1 railway overbridge, 13 major junctions and 42 medium junctions.

New medical colleges get staffing approval

For the smooth functioning of the new government medical colleges in Damoh, Chhatarpur and Budhni, the cabinet approved 990 regular posts and 615 outsourced positions. Each medical college will receive 330 regular and 205 outsourced staff.

Nauradehi to become third cheetah habitat

The cabinet granted in-principle approval for developing Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve at Nauradehi in Sagar as Madhya Pradesh’s third cheetah habitat. The first habitat began at Kuno National Park in September 2022, while the second launched at Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, Mandsaur in April 2025. At present, Madhya Pradesh has 31 cheetahs, with most housed in Kuno. Eight more cheetahs from Botswana are likely to arrive in January 2026.

₹165 crore irrigation project for Damoh

The Jhapanala Medium Irrigation Project in Tendukheda tehsil of Damoh district was approved with a budget of ₹165.06 crore. The project will provide irrigation to 3,600 hectares across 17 villages.

Health infrastructure to expand in 11 districts

Twelve health institutions across 11 districts will be upgraded. Key upgrades include:

• Bhadwamata Sub-Health Centre (Neemuch) to 30-bed Community Health Centre

• Maksi PHC (Shajapur) from 6-bed to 50-bed Civil Hospital

• Jiwajiganj (Ujjain) and Omkareshwar (Khandwa) from 20-bed to 50-bed hospitals

• Several 30-bed CHCs upgraded to 50-bed and 100-bed Civil Hospitals

• Bina Civil Hospital (Sagar) upgraded from 50 to 100 beds

For these facilities, 345 regular posts, 3 contract posts and 136 outsourced staff were approved, involving an annual expenditure of ₹27.17 crore.

600 backward class youth to be sent to Japan and Germany

Under a new scheme by the Backward Classes and Minority Welfare Department, 600 youth from Other Backward Classes will be sent to Japan and Germany for employment through the Social Impact Bond (SIB) model within two years.

Fire services to be modernised

The cabinet approved a massive ₹397.54 billion plan to expand and modernise fire services in the state as per the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission. The funding will be shared in a 75:25 ratio between the Centre and the State.

Bundelkhand Package at a glance:

• Investment: ₹24,240 crore

• Employment: ~29,100 people

• Total land: 608.93 hectares

• Infrastructure spending: ₹539.54 crore in 5 years

• Industrial units: 42