Press Conference by Housing and Environment Minister O P Choudhary

Housing and Environment Minister O P Choudhary addressing a Press conference – File Photo

Raipur: Chhattisgarh’s Housing and Environment Minister, O P Choudhary, addressed a press conference at the Chhattisgarh Samvad Auditorium on Monday December 15, 2025 , stating that under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, the Housing and Environment Department has achieved remarkable milestones in the last two years. The work during these two years has focused on providing affordable housing, better residential facilities, developing livelihood opportunities, and ensuring an environmentally friendly ease of living.

The department’s efforts over the past two years have improved the lives of citizens and laid a strong foundation for the state’s bright future.

Minister Choudhary informed that two years ago, the Chhattisgarh Housing Board was facing numerous challenges. More than 3200 residential and commercial properties remained unsold. There were outstanding dues of Rs. 735 crore.

This amount was provided by the state government to make the board debt-free. Currently, the board is debt-free. To facilitate the sale of properties that had remained unsold for a long time, the government launched a one-time settlement scheme, OTS-2. Through this scheme, a discount of up to 30 percent was offered on these properties.

This scheme was successful, and 1251 properties were sold in just 9 months, generating revenue of ₹ 190 crore. This amount will be used in upcoming projects so that the maximum number of beneficiaries can avail the benefits of affordable housing and commercial properties.

He further informed that a new construction policy has been implemented to avoid unsold stock in the future. Now, demand-based construction will be prioritised. Projects will be initiated according to the actual market requirements. This will reduce financial risk.

According to the new policy, 60 percent registration or 30 percent registration in the first 3 months is mandatory. Construction work will begin only after this. This system will ensure the viability of the projects. Citizens’ demands will be given direct importance.

O P Choudhary said that the online portal has been further strengthened for the convenience of the allottees. The processes have become simpler and time-bound. Citizens will no longer have to visit offices repeatedly. Information is being provided 24/7 through an AI-based chatbot.

The need for human intervention has been reduced. Both transparency and convenience have increased.

Minister Chaudhary provided information regarding the achievements of the Raipur Development Authority. He said that the authority is constructing the PM Unity Mall at a cost of ₹. 193 crore. Additionally, the construction of 168 flats is proposed in Tikrapara, for which tenders have been invited. The authority launched an online system in January.

He said that historic decisions have been taken 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 considered remarkable at the national level.

The authority has repaid the entire loan of ₹. 1,345 crore. This loan was related to previous development projects. This was made possible through disciplined financial management. No new debt burden was incurred. With the repayment of the loan, land and properties worth ₹ 5,030 crore have become mortgage-free. These assets are now completely independent. This will accelerate investment and development proposals.
Significant initiatives have also been taken to increase industrial and commercial activity in Nava Raipur. A textile park is being developed in an area of ​​132 acres. The textile park is expected to attract an investment of approximately Rs. 2,000 crore. This investment will strengthen the state’s industrial economy. MSMEs and large industries will get opportunities. Export capacity will increase. This project is expected to create more than 12,000 jobs, including both direct and indirect employment. Local youth will get opportunities, and regional development will be accelerated.

An investment of ₹1,800 crore is proposed in the semiconductor and IT sectors. This initiative has been taken keeping in mind advanced 5G and 6G technologies. This will give the state a new identity on the technological map. The digital ecosystem will be strengthened. The IT sector is expected to create approximately 10,000 new jobs. High-skilled employment opportunities will be available. Startups and technology companies will be promoted.

O P Chaudhary said that Nava Raipur will emerge as a tech-hub. The area is being developed as a conference capital. Plans are underway to attract national and international events. MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism will be boosted. The service and tourism sectors will receive a new impetus.

Chaudhary also affirmed that the city is being developed as a wedding destination. Modern infrastructure and open spaces are being provided. The event-based economy will be promoted. Employment in local services will increase. An inland marina project is being developed at a cost of ₹400 crore. This will enhance both tourism and urban aesthetics. New recreational opportunities will be created. Green and blue infrastructure has been incorporated.

An Art of Living Center will be developed at a cost of ₹120 crore. It will become a center for spiritual and cultural activities. Wellness tourism will be promoted, 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 objective is to connect students and youth with science and encourage forward-thinking, OP Choudhary added .

To make Nava Raipur a medical hub, a Medi City is being developed. High-level healthcare services will be available here, reducing the 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 land allocation for NIFT and NIELIT under Edu City is underway.

This will promote design and IT education, and a cluster of higher education institutions will be developed. With the arrival of renowned educational institutions from India and abroad, Nava Raipur will emerge as a knowledge hub.

Minister O P Choudhary stated that the Town and Country Planning Department has also done remarkable work in the last two years. For the first time in the state, the Affordable Public Housing Rules, 2025 have been implemented with the objective of making the rules simpler, more practical, and more affordable. This will encourage housing construction and benefit both citizens and developers. Affordable housing is now permitted on agricultural land. The process has become simpler and time-bound.

The mandatory requirement for community open space by colonisers has been reduced from 10 percent to 5 percent. This will reduce project costs and make affordable housing more viable, while still ensuring that necessary open spaces are preserved.

In addition, amendments have been made to the Chhattisgarh Land Development Rules, 1984 under the central reform initiative. The minimum width of access roads in industrial areas has been reduced. A width of 7.5 to 9 meters is now acceptable, whereas previously it was mandatory to have a 12-meter width.

This will enable better utilisation of land. Ground coverage in industrial areas has been increased from 60 percent to 70 percent. Industries will get more construction area, increasing production capacity and facilitating industrial expansion. The Chhattisgarh Environment Protection Board has implemented a real-time system for monitoring environmental emissions from industries. Continuous monitoring is being conducted online, increasing transparency and reliability. Alerts are issued immediately if emission limits are exceeded, enabling prompt corrective action. Enforcement of regulations has become stricter.

An automated notice system has been implemented, speeding up administrative processes and reducing reliance on human intervention. A common hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facility has been developed, providing a scientific solution for industrial waste management. The regulatory framework has become more effective, reducing environmental risks and offering industries a safer alternative. The common hazardous waste facility will be fully operational by April 2025, with a landfill capacity of 60,000 metric tons per year, ensuring long-term waste management and compliance with environmental standards.

He further stated that the reforms undertaken by the Housing and Environment Department reflect financial discipline. The debt-free institutions are a clear example of this. Development has been linked to responsibility, and resources have been utilized judiciously. Citizen-centric reforms have been prioritized in all schemes. Digital services have increased convenience and transparency, saving both time and cost in service delivery.

Citizen trust has been strengthened. Equal attention has been given to industrial investment and job creation, increasing local opportunities for youth. The state’s economy is becoming stronger. Nava Raipur is emerging as a center of development. Environmental protection has been made an integral part of development. A technology-based monitoring system has been implemented, and concrete steps have been taken towards sustainable development. The protection of natural resources is being ensured. Nava Raipur Atal Nagar has emerged as a living example of all these efforts, establishing itself as a debt-free, investment-friendly, and future-ready city.

The achievements of the Housing and Environment Department establish Chhattisgarh as a financially sound, investment-friendly, environmentally sensitive, and citizen-centric state. The initiatives undertaken by the department are crucial in achieving the goals of a developed Chhattisgarh and have laid a strong foundation for long-term development.

Present on the occasion were Anurag Singh Deo, Chairman, Chhattisgarh Housing Board, Nand Kumar Sahu, Chairman, Raipur Development Authority, MLA Raimuni Bhagat, and Ankit Anand, Secretary of the Housing and Environment Department, along with other senior officials.