Chief Minister Raman Singh on Sunday made a surprise visit to Sihawa, the place of origin of Mahanadi river, under state-wide lok Suraaj Abhiyaan.
Singh met the head priest of Shringi Rishi Ashram near Sihawa hill Ishwar Das and also inspected this place of river which is life-line for Chhattisgarh and Odisha states.
Singh assured development of necessary tourism facility around Sihawa and Shringi Rishi Ashram. He said- Shrighi Rishi Ashram will be illuminated and drinking-water supply will also be facilited there, using solar energy.
Plantation work will be done alongside of the riverbank and conservation of this place will be done. Singh stated that it is a sacred place and Mahanadi river holds importance not only for Chhattisgarh but for the entire nation.
“I am fortunate to have got the opportunity of visiting the place of Mahanadi river's origin,’’ Singh told reporters. later, he inspected the nearly 119-year-old police station of Sihawa. This area near Maharshi Shringi Rishi Ashram was earlier the part of Bastar region. As per the records, at the time of British rule during first freedom movement in year 1857, this police chowki was opened there, and later in year 1898 this police station was built.
It is also noteworthy that the narrow gauge rail line from Raipur to village Kundai of Odisha state via Sihawa area was built by British rulers for transportation of sal wood. During second world war, when England fell short of iron, British government had sent iron through this railway line. Ruins of this railway line can be found in Sihawa even today.
Chief Minister first worshipped Khambeshwari Devi in the premise of historical police station of Sihawa. Villagers told him that they begin all their religious rituals and customs, even the celebration of festivals like Holi and Diwali, by offering salutations to Khambeshwari Devi.
As per the local people, this police station is also an evidence of the movement against British rule, which took place in year 1910 in Bastar region under the leadership of Gundadhur. Chief Minister also went through the old records found in the Sihawa police station.
In his address to the redressal camp held at Sihawa, Singh announced construction of Exit Depot of Forest Department, 500-m long cc-road in Dongripara, and 8-km long road from Mukundpur to lakhanpur. Singh said that Shringi Rishi Ashram will be electrified using solar energy. He also assured of expanding facilities in Kadkeshwar Nath Mela. He asked officials of District Administration that the ground levelling work for the forestland right certificate-holding villagers to make the lands allotted suitable for agriculture.
In the camp, Singh directed the officials of Revenue department and Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Caste Department to issue domicile, caste and income certificates to school students. Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand and Secretary Subodh Kumar Singh were also present on the occasion.