Access to Naxalite Stronghold to Become Easier: Security Forces Take Charge, State Government Grants Major Approval, Centre Also Lays Out Strategic Plan

Jagdalpur: In a significant move aimed at transforming one of Chhattisgarh’s most hard-core Naxalite zones, the state government has approved the construction of a motorable road leading to the remote Karregutta Hills in Bijapur district. Once considered an impregnable Maoist fortress, Karregutta will soon be connected through a new route approved by the Public Works Department (PWD).

State Government Clears Road Project

Located on the Chhattisgarh–Telangana border, reaching the Karregutta Hills currently requires a 60-kilometre journey through dense forests and dangerous terrain. The PWD has completed the tender process for the new road, which will connect Bijapur to Karregutta.
According to officials, around ₹5 crore will be spent to build the first four kilometres of the road. Construction work is expected to begin soon.

Centre Preparing for New Warfare College

A key objective behind the project is to support the Central Government’s plan to establish the country’s second Jungle Warfare College on the Karregutta Hills. Security officials confirm that the hilltop holds tremendous strategic value, making road accessibility essential for both security forces and future training operations.

A Former Maoist Capital

Rising nearly 900 metres, the Karregutta Hills have long been considered one of the most dangerous regions in the Maoist belt. The area is riddled with caves and narrow paths, making it an ideal hideout.
For decades, Maoists operated camps here, manufactured weapons, and used the hilltop as a strategic command base—often calling it the “capital of the Naxal movement.”

However, sustained anti-Naxal operations in recent years have significantly weakened their presence. Today, security forces hold dominance over the region, paving the way for development and civilian access.

Government Confirms Approval

PWD Secretary Kamalpreet Singh stated that the department has officially sanctioned construction in this “highly sensitive” Naxal-affected zone.
“This approval reflects the growing public confidence in the state government’s efforts in Bastar,” he said. “Our aim is to complete this road within the stipulated time so that common citizens can easily reach the once-inaccessible hill region.”