Raipur. State Housing and Environment Minister Mr. OP Choudhary, addressing a press conference at the Chhattisgarh Samvad Auditorium, said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, the Housing and Environment Department has achieved remarkable success in the past two years. These two years have focused on providing affordable housing, improved living facilities, developing livelihood opportunities, and maintaining an environmentally friendly ease of living. The department's work has improved citizens' lives and laid a solid foundation for the state's bright future.Minister Chaudhary stated that two years ago, the Chhattisgarh Housing Board was facing numerous challenges. Over 3,200 residential and commercial properties remained unsold, amounting to ₹735 crore. This amount was provided by the state government to free the board of debt. Currently, the board has no debt. The government launched a one-time settlement scheme (OTS-2) to facilitate the sale of properties that had remained unsold for a long time. Through this scheme, discounts of up to 30 percent were provided on these properties. This scheme was successful, with 1,251 properties sold in just nine months, generating revenue of ₹190 crore. This amount will be spent on upcoming projects to ensure that maximum beneficiaries can benefit from affordable housing and commercial properties. He explained that a new construction policy has been implemented to avoid unsold inventory in the future. Demand-driven construction will now be prioritized. Projects will be initiated based on actual market needs, reducing financial risk. 

According to the new policy, 60% registration, or 30% registration in the first three months, is mandatory. Construction work will begin only after this. This system will ensure the viability of projects and give direct consideration to citizen demands. Chaudhary stated that the online portal has been further strengthened for the convenience of allottees. Processes have become simpler and more timely. Citizens will no longer have to visit offices. Information is being provided 24/7 through an AI-based chatbot. The need for human intervention has been reduced, increasing both transparency and convenience.
Minister Chaudhary presented information regarding the achievements of the Raipur Development Authority. He stated that the Authority is constructing the PM Unity Mall at a cost of ₹193 crore. Additionally, the construction of 168 flats in Tikrapara is proposed, for which tenders have been invited. The Authority launched the online system in January. He stated that historic decisions have been made in the last two years for the development of Nava Raipur Atal Nagar. Nava Raipur Atal Nagar has become the country's first debt-free greenfield city. This achievement is being considered nationally significant. The Authority has repaid the entire debt of ₹1,345 crore. This debt was related to previous development projects. This was made possible through disciplined financial management. No new debt was incurred. With the repayment of the debt, land and property worth ₹5,030 crore became mortgage-free. Now, these assets are completely free. This will accelerate investment and development proposals.

Significant initiatives have also been taken to increase industrial and commercial activity in Naya Raipur. A textile park is being developed on an area of ​​132 acres. An investment of approximately ₹2,000 crore is estimated in the textile park. This investment will strengthen the state's industrial economy, providing opportunities for MSMEs and large industries, and enhancing export potential. The project is expected to create over 12,000 jobs, including both direct and indirect employment. This will provide opportunities for local youth and accelerate regional development.
An investment of ₹1,800 crore is proposed in the semiconductor and IT sectors. This initiative is designed with advanced 5G and 6G technologies in mind. This will give the state a new identity on the technology map and strengthen the digital ecosystem. The IT sector is expected to create approximately 10,000 new jobs, providing high-skilled employment opportunities, and fostering startups and technology companies. Chaudhary stated that Naya Raipur will emerge as a tech hub. Naya Raipur is being developed as a conference capital. There are plans to attract national and international events. MICE tourism will be promoted. The service and tourism sectors will receive a new impetus.

Chaudhary stated that the city is also being developed as a wedding destination. Modern infrastructure and open spaces are being provided. An event-based economy will be promoted, and employment in local services will increase. The Inland Marina Project is being developed at a cost of ₹400 crore. This will enhance both tourism and urban beauty. New recreational opportunities will be created. Green and blue infrastructure have been integrated.
An Art of Living Center will be developed at a cost of ₹120 crore. It will become a hub for spiritual and cultural activities. Wellness tourism will be encouraged, and the city's social identity will be strengthened. A Science City is being developed at a cost of ₹230 crore. This will promote education and innovation. The aim is to connect students and youth with science and encourage forward-thinking.
Medi City is being developed to make Naya Raipur a medical hub. High-quality healthcare services will be available here, reducing pressure on regional healthcare facilities and promoting medical tourism. A 300-bed hospital is being developed in Medi City by the Bombay Hospital Trust. The process of allocating land to NIFT and NIELIT within Edu City is underway. Design and IT education will be promoted. A cluster of higher education institutions will develop. The arrival of renowned educational institutions from India and abroad will transform Naya Raipur into a knowledge hub.
Minister Shri OP Choudhary stated that the Urban and Rural Development Department has also accomplished significant work in the last two years. The Affordable Public Housing Rules, 2025, have been implemented for the first time in the state to make regulations simpler, practical, and cost-effective. This will encourage housing construction, benefiting both citizens and developers. Affordable housing is now accepted on agricultural land. The process has been simplified and time-bound. The requirement for community open space by colonizers has been reduced from 10 percent to 5 percent. This will reduce project costs and make affordable housing more viable, while preserving essential open spaces.
Additionally, amendments have been made to the Chhattisgarh Land Development Rules, 1984, under central reforms. The minimum access road width in industrial areas has been reduced. Now, 7.5 to 9 meters are acceptable. Previously, it was 12 meters. This will enable better land utilization. Ground coverage in industrial areas has been increased from 60 percent to 70 percent. Industries will have more building space. Production capacity will increase. This will facilitate industrial expansion.
The Chhattisgarh Environment Protection Board has implemented a real-time system for monitoring environmental emissions by industries. Continuous online monitoring has increased transparency and reliability. An alert is issued immediately when emissions exceed limits, enabling immediate corrective action. Enforcement of regulations has been strengthened. An automated notice system has been implemented, expediting administrative processes and reducing reliance on human intervention. The Common Hazards Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility has been developed. It is a scientific solution to industrial waste management. The regulatory system has become more effective. This will reduce environmental risks and provide safer alternatives for industries. The Common Hazards Waste will be fully operational by April 2025. Its landfill capacity is 60,000 metric tons per year. This will ensure long-term waste management and adherence to environmental standards.
He stated that the reforms undertaken by the Housing and Environment Department demonstrate financial discipline. Debt-free institutions are a clear example of this. Development has been linked to responsibility. Resources have been used judiciously. Citizen-centric reforms have been prioritized in all schemes. Digital services have increased convenience and transparency. Service delivery has saved both time and cost. Citizen trust has been strengthened. Industrial investment and job creation have received equal attention. Local opportunities for youth have increased. The state's economy is strengthening. Naya Raipur is becoming a hub of development. Environmental protection has been made an integral part of development. A technology-based monitoring system has been implemented. Concrete steps have been taken towards sustainable development. The protection of natural resources is being ensured. Naya Raipur Atal Nagar has emerged as a living example of all these efforts. It has gained recognition as a debt-free, investment-friendly, and future-ready city.
The achievements of the Housing and Environment Department establish Chhattisgarh as a financially capable, investment-friendly, environmentally sensitive, and citizen-centric state. The initiatives undertaken by the department are crucial towards achieving the goals of a developed Chhattisgarh and have laid a solid foundation for long-term development. On this occasion, Shri Anurag Singh Dev, Chairman, Chhattisgarh Housing Board, Shri Nand Kumar Sahu, Chairman, Raipur Development Authority, MLA Smt. Raimuni Bhagat, Secretary of Housing and Environment Department Shri Ankit Anand and other senior officers were present.