12-member media delegation from Naxal-affected districts to study national institutions, technology, healthcare, defence, civic administration and maritime infrastructure
Raipur/Pune, September 20, 2026: A 12-member delegation of journalists from the Naxal-affected districts of Chhattisgarh’s Bastar division has embarked on a seven-day national study tour to Pune and Mumbai, organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Raipur.
The study tour is aimed at providing journalists from remote and conflict-affected regions with first-hand exposure to institutions of national importance, advanced infrastructure, technological research, healthcare, defence preparedness, civic administration and maritime facilities.
The delegation comprises Akash Mishra of Patrika, Rajesh Das of Haribhoomi, Satish Chandak of Bhaskar Digital, Mohd. Irshad Khan of Khabar Bastar, Jitendra Choudhary of Asian News, Sunil Kashyap of ETV Bharat, P. Ranjan Das of News 18, Rajman Kashyap of Lok Kiran/Ganga Prakash, Pushpa Rokde of Prakhar Samachar, Shailendra Thakur of BastarUpdate.Com, Sheikh Salim of NDTV and Priyanka Jaiswal of Bastar Ke Anchal.
The delegation reached Pune on September 20, marking the beginning of the first phase of the tour.
Visit to CWPRS and FTII
On September 21, the journalists will visit the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), Khadakwasla, where they will learn about physical and mathematical modelling used in flood management, dam safety assessment and large-scale water resource management.
The delegation will also visit the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, where journalists will receive an orientation on modern media technology, film and television production, broadcasting practices and emerging digital media processes.
Understanding Pune’s Civic Management
On September 22, the delegation will study civic administration, crowd management and security arrangements during Ganeshotsav, one of Pune’s major public festivals.
The journalists will subsequently visit the Western Regional Centre of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) at Akurdi, where they will gain insights into biodiversity documentation, faunal research and ecological conservation.
Mumbai Leg to Cover Healthcare, Defence and Maritime Infrastructure
The second phase of the study tour will take place in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai from September 23 to 26.
During this phase, the journalists will visit the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, to understand specialised cancer treatment, medical research and healthcare services.
The delegation will also visit the Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy, where it will receive an orientation on maritime security, coastal defence and operational preparedness.
The programme will further include an interaction focused on urban administration and civic services at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Focus on India’s Maritime and Logistics Infrastructure
As part of the Mumbai leg, the delegation will visit the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), Navi Mumbai.
The journalists will study modern port operations, automated container handling, logistics and supply-chain management, as well as the role of maritime infrastructure in facilitating international trade.
The seven-day study tour will conclude in Mumbai on September 26, following which the delegation will return to Chhattisgarh.
The initiative is intended to provide journalists working in remote and Naxal-affected areas with direct exposure to major national institutions and a deeper understanding of India’s infrastructure capabilities, technological advancements, administrative systems and developmental initiatives.
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