Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma in Barmer to launch ₹2,700 crore projects for 8 districts
Synopsis
Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma's Barmer visit is more than a ribbon-cutting exercise — with 1,013 projects worth ₹2,700 crore announced across eight districts and 12,000 workers mobilised, the BJP is firing its opening shot in the Panchayati Raj election campaign, using development optics to lock in rural Rajasthan.
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma visited Barmer on 30 September to announce ₹2,700 crore worth of development projects.
A total of 1,013 projects span eight districts of the Jodhpur division; around 1,000 projects are in Barmer district alone.
Foundation stones were laid for 16 PWD projects worth ₹129 crore , mostly road construction works.
The rally at Bacchdau village drew a mobilised crowd of approximately 12,000 from five Assembly constituencies.
The visit is the CM's first to Barmer in seven months and is seen as the BJP's campaign opener for upcoming Panchayati Raj elections .
The day-long tour also covered Sumerpur (Pali) and Jodhpur for party worker interactions across all eight division districts.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited Barmer on Wednesday, 30 September to address a public rally at Bacchdau village in Barmer district and announce development projects worth approximately ₹2,700 crore across eight districts of the Jodhpur division. The visit marks his first return to Barmer in roughly seven months, and is widely seen as the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) opening salvo ahead of the upcoming Panchayati Raj elections.
Scale of Development Announcements
A total of 1,013 development projects worth around ₹2,700 crore are being announced across the eight districts of the Jodhpur division — Barmer, Balotra, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Jalore, Pali, Sirohi, and Phalodi. Notably, approximately 1,000 of these projects are located within Barmer district alone. The Chief Minister unveiled plaques for these projects virtually from the public meeting venue at the sports ground of the Government Senior Secondary School, Bacchdau.
Key PWD Road Projects
Foundation stones were laid for 16 Public Works Department (PWD) projects valued at ₹129 crore, the majority of which involve road construction. The projects include road widening from Sanavada to Dharmpura Mehlu (NH-68) at ₹21 crore; Bacchdau to Chauhtan via Leelsar at ₹12 crore; Udasar to Nokhda at ₹20 crore; NH-68 to Harchand ki Pyau via St. Paul School and NH-68 to Bhagwati Green Township at ₹11 crore; NH-68 Baldev Nagar to the Yellow Water Tank at ₹3.50 crore; Shiv to Kotra at ₹4 crore; and Kawas-Bhimda and Batadu-Undu at ₹8.40 crore. Completed works related to roads, water supply, electricity, and government buildings were also inaugurated.
Why Bacchdau Was Chosen
The selection of Bacchdau as the venue is strategically significant. The village serves as a central point for three Assembly constituencies, and three newly created Panchayat Samitis lie within a radius of just 8–10 km from the village. The BJP mobilised a crowd of approximately 12,000 people from Assembly constituencies including Chauhtan, Shiv, Barmer, Gudamalani, and Baytu. Sharma had previously visited Barmer in February for the consecration ceremony of the Alamji Temple in Gudamalani.
Itinerary Across Jodhpur Division
The Chief Minister departed Jaipur Airport at 10:30 am, arriving at Uttarlai Airport, Barmer at 11:30 am. The Bacchdau programme ran from noon to 1 pm, followed by an interaction with party workers from Jaisalmer, Barmer, and Balotra until 2 pm. The delegation then proceeded to Sumerpur, Pali district, where a session with party workers from Pali, Jalore, and Sirohi was held at the Town Hall from 3:10 pm to 5:10 pm. The final leg took the delegation to Jodhpur's Marwar International Centre for a meeting with workers from Jodhpur and Phalodi districts, concluding with departure from Jodhpur Airport at 7:55 pm.
Political Context and What's Next
Administration officials including Barmer Collector Chinmayi Gopal and Superintendent of Police Chunaram Jat inspected preparations on Tuesday. The visit is being interpreted as the BJP's bid to consolidate rural support ahead of Panchayati Raj elections, with the government using budget-linked foundation stone layings to signal on-ground implementation of schemes. The party aims to secure a decisive majority in the new Panchayat Samitis, and the day-long multi-district tour signals that the electoral outreach is well underway.
Point of View
000 out of 1,013 in Barmer alone — reveals a targeted political calculus rather than a division-wide development strategy. Bacchdau's selection as the venue, sitting at the intersection of three Assembly constituencies and three new Panchayat Samitis, confirms this is electioneering dressed as governance. The BJP's decision to mobilise 12,000 workers for a single rally signals anxiety about rural consolidation, not confidence. The real question is whether foundation-stone ceremonies translate into completed infrastructure before voters return to the booth — a gap that has historically dogged such pre-election announcements across Indian states.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What projects did Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma announce in Barmer?
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma announced 1,013 development projects worth approximately ₹2,700 crore across eight districts of the Jodhpur division, including Barmer, Balotra, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Jalore, Pali, Sirohi, and Phalodi. Around 1,000 of these projects are located in Barmer district alone, covering roads, water supply, electricity, and government buildings.
Why did CM Sharma choose Bacchdau village for the public rally?
Bacchdau serves as a central point for three Assembly constituencies and has three newly created Panchayat Samitis within 8–10 km, making it strategically significant for reaching a large rural voter base in a single event. The BJP mobilised approximately 12,000 people from constituencies including Chauhtan, Shiv, Barmer, Gudamalani, and Baytu.
What is the political significance of Bhajanlal Sharma's Barmer visit?
The visit is widely viewed as the BJP's campaign launch for the upcoming Panchayati Raj elections in Rajasthan. By laying foundation stones for budget-linked projects, the party aims to demonstrate on-ground implementation of government schemes to rural voters and secure a majority in the new Panchayat Samitis.
Which road projects were announced during the CM's Barmer visit?
Foundation stones were laid for 16 PWD road projects worth ₹129 crore. Key projects include Sanavada to Dharmpura Mehlu (NH-68) at ₹21 crore, Udasar to Nokhda at ₹20 crore, Bacchdau to Chauhtan via Leelsar at ₹12 crore, and NH-68 to Harchand ki Pyau at ₹11 crore, among others.
When was CM Bhajanlal Sharma's last visit to Barmer before this?
Sharma had last visited Barmer approximately seven months before this trip, when he attended the consecration ceremony of the Alamji Temple in Gudamalani in February. Wednesday's visit to Bacchdau marked his return to the district after that gap.
