Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav held a review meeting of the Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation on Tuesday.
Ahead of the 2026 Kanwar Yatra, the Madhya Pradesh government has decided to provide food and prasad to lakhs of Kanwariyas at intervals of every 15 to 20 kilometres during Sawan.
Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav issued the directions to officials during a review meeting of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation on Tuesday.
He also directed officials to establish facilitation centres for devotees along the routes. Religious organisations should be encouraged to participate in these arrangements, along with greater public participation, he said.
The Chief Minister described Bhagoria as a unique festival of Madhya Pradesh and directed officials to announce next year’s Bhagoria dates in advance and promote the festival at the national level.
The meeting also included a detailed review of various departmental activities. Officials informed the Chief Minister that work is underway to grant industry status to the tourism sector in the state.
Homestays in rural, tribal areas to be promoted
CM Yadav said the Tourism Department should coordinate with the Forest and Culture departments to expand tourism activities across the state and ensure their effective implementation.
He said this would also help promote homestays in rural and forested areas.
The Chief Minister directed that the Tourism Development Corporation should ensure there are no delays in granting permissions for activities aimed at encouraging private investment.
Chief Secretary Ashok Barnwal, Additional Chief Secretary Neeraj Mandloi, Managing Director of the State Tourism Development Corporation Dr. Ilaiyaraaja T. and other officials attended the meeting.
Hospitals, trauma centres and charging stations along major routes
CM Yadav directed officials to develop wayside amenity centres along national highways, state highways and greenfield corridors across Madhya Pradesh.
He said facilities such as hospitals, trauma centres, petrol pumps and EV charging stations should also be developed along these routes. The government should explore operating these facilities under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, he added.
Convention centres to be developed in major cities
The Chief Minister also called for encouraging private investment to develop convention centres in all major cities of the state.
He said every possible support should be provided to improve connectivity to places associated with faith and strengthen facilities at these destinations to promote religious tourism in Madhya Pradesh.
