Nava Raipur — Atal Nagar is looking like the city that was once promised after nearly 20 years of its conception as a greenfield capital.
The city has been planned with wide roads, underground utilities, power and water supply, and an ambitious claim of being India’s first debt-free planned city.
The government of Chhattisgarh is now pitching Nava Raipur as a technological hub, tourism, and sustainability, with big-budget projects ranging from a semiconductor fabrication plants to a Rs 95.79 crore Film City.
A planned capital
Nava Raipur is spread across 237 sq km, with 80 sq km marked as the core development area. The Nava Raipur Atal Nagar Vikas Pradhikaran (NRANVP) has allocated 27% of its land to green cover, lakes, and open spaces, ensuring the city remains both livable and climate-resilient.
According to the plan, 600,000 residents are projected to live in the new city, which will be supported by planned zones for governance, IT, education, industry, and housing.
The capital already hosts the state secretariat (Mahanadi Bhawan) and new residential complexes for ministers and MLAs.
In March 2025, the state government declared Nava Raipur as India’s first debt-free planned city after repaying Rs 1,788 crore of liabilities, freeing up resources for fresh investments.
Underground facilities
Nava Raipur has been designed with underground utility corridors carrying electricity, water, and telecom lines. An Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) monitors 148 CCTV cameras, traffic signals, SCADA-controlled water supply, and streetlights.
Further, it is being turned into a solar city. A 10 MW solar plant is being set up, expected to save nearly Rs 14.5 crore annually in electricity bills. Rooftop panels are being rolled out on government offices, and EV charging stations are part of the mobility blueprint. By 2035, officials say, the city aims for net-zero carbon emissions.
Education and healthcare
The new capital already has IIM Raipur, HNLU, IIIT, and AIIMS. The state cabinet has also cleared Rs 271.18 crore for a National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) campus. A new Medical College and Research Institute has also been approved.
A semiconductor hub?
On April 11, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai laid the foundation stone for Chhattisgarh’s first Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based semiconductor plant in Sector-5. It has been set up by Polymatech Electronics Ltd. with an investment of Rs 1,143 crore. The facility spans 1,50,000 sq ft and is expected to begin commercial production by 2026.
It aims to produce 10 billion chips annually by 2030. Thee chips will be used in 5G/6G telecom, defence, AI, and power electronics and could put Nava Raipur on the semiconductor map alongside Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
Tourism development
Chhattisgarh's investor meet 2025 highlighted the growth potential in travel and hospitality. According to the Tourism Department, 14 land parcels covering 163 acres have been identified across the state, including a 93-acre prime site in Mana, Raipur, reserved for a Film City and Convention Centre.
The capital will also have ' Tent Cities' along the rivers and reservoirs like Kodar, Nisda, Samoda, and Dudhawa dams, bringing luxury camping and water sports to eco-tourists. The Ghungutta Tree House in Korea and Sarna Ethnic Resort in Jashpur, which is already operational, showcase the model of blending local culture with high-end experiences.
Tourism officials say PPP projects could bring in Rs 150–200 crore private investment in the hospitality sector.
Industrial policy and incentives
Capital subsidies up to 25% (Rs 1 crore cap) for SC/ST, women, ex- servicemen, differently-abled, and Naxal-affected entrepreneurs will be provided. GST exemptions, power tariff subsidies, and land lease benefits for tourism and high-tech projects will be provided.
Connectivity and capital expansion
Nava Raipur is situated only 15 km from Raipur Airport, connected by a six-lane expressway. A metro-lite project linking Raipur, Nava Raipur, and Durg-Bhilai is under planning, with Rs 5 crore allocated for feasibility studies.
In July 2025, the state also announced a State Capital Region Authority, on the lines of NCR, to integrate Raipur, Durg, Bhilai, and Nava Raipur into a unified urban cluster.
“We are planning the development of a State Capital Region to ensure integrated growth of the entire capital area. I have directed officials to work on expanding rail connectivity. The upcoming Parmalkasa-Kharsiya railway line, being built by the Government of India through Balodabazar, will be connected to Nava Raipur, enhancing access and benefiting the public.
The development of Naya Raipur is a top priority for the government. It is emerging as the country's most modern and attractive capital. The establishment of a semiconductor unit and an AI-based data center park will further develop it into an IT hub. Prestigious institutions such as IIMs, IIITs, and the National Law University are making it a major educational hub," Vishnu Deo Sai, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh in a statement.
The city has been planned with wide roads, underground utilities, power and water supply, and an ambitious claim of being India’s first debt-free planned city.
The government of Chhattisgarh is now pitching Nava Raipur as a technological hub, tourism, and sustainability, with big-budget projects ranging from a semiconductor fabrication plants to a Rs 95.79 crore Film City.
A planned capital
Nava Raipur is spread across 237 sq km, with 80 sq km marked as the core development area. The Nava Raipur Atal Nagar Vikas Pradhikaran (NRANVP) has allocated 27% of its land to green cover, lakes, and open spaces, ensuring the city remains both livable and climate-resilient.
According to the plan, 600,000 residents are projected to live in the new city, which will be supported by planned zones for governance, IT, education, industry, and housing.
The capital already hosts the state secretariat (Mahanadi Bhawan) and new residential complexes for ministers and MLAs.
In March 2025, the state government declared Nava Raipur as India’s first debt-free planned city after repaying Rs 1,788 crore of liabilities, freeing up resources for fresh investments.
Underground facilities
Nava Raipur has been designed with underground utility corridors carrying electricity, water, and telecom lines. An Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) monitors 148 CCTV cameras, traffic signals, SCADA-controlled water supply, and streetlights.
Further, it is being turned into a solar city. A 10 MW solar plant is being set up, expected to save nearly Rs 14.5 crore annually in electricity bills. Rooftop panels are being rolled out on government offices, and EV charging stations are part of the mobility blueprint. By 2035, officials say, the city aims for net-zero carbon emissions.
Education and healthcare
The new capital already has IIM Raipur, HNLU, IIIT, and AIIMS. The state cabinet has also cleared Rs 271.18 crore for a National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) campus. A new Medical College and Research Institute has also been approved.
A semiconductor hub?
On April 11, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai laid the foundation stone for Chhattisgarh’s first Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based semiconductor plant in Sector-5. It has been set up by Polymatech Electronics Ltd. with an investment of Rs 1,143 crore. The facility spans 1,50,000 sq ft and is expected to begin commercial production by 2026.
It aims to produce 10 billion chips annually by 2030. Thee chips will be used in 5G/6G telecom, defence, AI, and power electronics and could put Nava Raipur on the semiconductor map alongside Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
Tourism development
Chhattisgarh's investor meet 2025 highlighted the growth potential in travel and hospitality. According to the Tourism Department, 14 land parcels covering 163 acres have been identified across the state, including a 93-acre prime site in Mana, Raipur, reserved for a Film City and Convention Centre.
The capital will also have ' Tent Cities' along the rivers and reservoirs like Kodar, Nisda, Samoda, and Dudhawa dams, bringing luxury camping and water sports to eco-tourists. The Ghungutta Tree House in Korea and Sarna Ethnic Resort in Jashpur, which is already operational, showcase the model of blending local culture with high-end experiences.
Tourism officials say PPP projects could bring in Rs 150–200 crore private investment in the hospitality sector.
Industrial policy and incentives
Capital subsidies up to 25% (Rs 1 crore cap) for SC/ST, women, ex- servicemen, differently-abled, and Naxal-affected entrepreneurs will be provided. GST exemptions, power tariff subsidies, and land lease benefits for tourism and high-tech projects will be provided.
Connectivity and capital expansion
Nava Raipur is situated only 15 km from Raipur Airport, connected by a six-lane expressway. A metro-lite project linking Raipur, Nava Raipur, and Durg-Bhilai is under planning, with Rs 5 crore allocated for feasibility studies.
In July 2025, the state also announced a State Capital Region Authority, on the lines of NCR, to integrate Raipur, Durg, Bhilai, and Nava Raipur into a unified urban cluster.
“We are planning the development of a State Capital Region to ensure integrated growth of the entire capital area. I have directed officials to work on expanding rail connectivity. The upcoming Parmalkasa-Kharsiya railway line, being built by the Government of India through Balodabazar, will be connected to Nava Raipur, enhancing access and benefiting the public.
The development of Naya Raipur is a top priority for the government. It is emerging as the country's most modern and attractive capital. The establishment of a semiconductor unit and an AI-based data center park will further develop it into an IT hub. Prestigious institutions such as IIMs, IIITs, and the National Law University are making it a major educational hub," Vishnu Deo Sai, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh in a statement.
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