Bhandara : a district in eastern Maharashtra with a population of 1.2 million, has seen a burgeoning of small-scale industries, while larger projects remain hesitant to invest. From 2022 to 2023, a total of 41,862 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have been established in the district. In September 2015, there were only 181 MSMEs in Bhandara. This number grew to 4,698 in 2019 and expanded significantly to 41,862 by 2023, with an investment of 747.24 lakhs and providing employment to 53,000 individuals.
Initiatives such as the Chief Minister's Employment Generation Program and investments of 86 crores, 49 lakhs in 2020-21, and 5.93 crores in 122 projects in 2023-24 have further contributed to the district's economic growth. However, investments through the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Program have been limited, with only 3.40 crores allocated to 31 projects by 2023-24.
Improvements in healthcare services have been notable, with 10 public hospitals, a specialty department for Cancer and T.B., 34 public dispensaries, and 193 sub-centers in the district. The women's hospital project, although progressing slowly over the past five years, aims to enhance healthcare facilities.
The district now boasts 33 public primary health centers with 330 beds, an increase from 2015. Additionally, the intensive care unit beds have risen from 6 to 15, and the critical care lab now has 50 beds, totaling 1412 beds in public hospitals. Advancements in road infrastructure have also been observed, with the construction of three new bridges in Bhandara - Roha, Ambhora, and the near completion of Korombhi.
The district has witnessed the development of 4631.15 km of rural roads and 1317.55 km of other roads. Further more, there are 250.70 km of national highways and 481.67 km of state highway networks. Overall, a total of 6763.70 km of major state highways, state highways, major district roads, and rural roads have been completed, signifying progress in communication and road connectivity in the region.
