Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], July 9 (HBTV): Chhattisgarh is rapidly emerging as one of India's fastest-growing industrial hubs, having received investment proposals worth over INR 6.75 lakh crore in the past one and a half years—signalling strong and growing investor confidence.

This momentum was reinforced at the 'Industry Dialogue 2' held in Raipur on Tuesday, where, in the presence of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, new proposals worth INR 1.25 lakh crore were finalised.

Once known primarily for its forests and mineral resources, Chhattisgarh is now positioning itself as a hub of opportunity and innovation. Chief Minister Sai remarked that even regions like Bastar, previously associated with security challenges, are now evolving into centres of industry, technology, and employment—aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘Developed India’.

The new investment proposals are not limited to traditional mining sectors but span future-oriented domains such as IT, semiconductors, healthcare, green energy, and logistics.

'Chhattisgarh is no longer just a land of minerals, but a land of potential. We are bringing remote regions, such as Bastar, into the mainstream of development. Investors today are getting stability, security, and swift decision-making,' said Chief Minister Sai during his address.

Investor confidence is rising not only in urban centres but also in tribal regions like Bastar and Surguja. The state's recently implemented Industrial Policy 2025 has played a key role in positioning Chhattisgarh as a preferred investment destination.

The policy includes features such as Single Window System 2.0, over 350 reforms, fast-track land allotment, auto-approval mechanisms, and targeted incentives for women entrepreneurs, SC/STs, the third gender, and rehabilitated former Naxalites. The government says it has successfully moved from ease to speed of doing business.

As part of this effort, Chhattisgarh has announced its first Special Economic Zone (SEZ) near Raipur, focused on IT, pharmaceuticals, and electronics manufacturing. The SEZ will offer plug-and-play infrastructure, subsidised land, and rapid clearances aimed at attracting foreign direct investment and driving export-led growth.

A major milestone in this transformation is the upcoming INR 11,000 crore semiconductor unit and AI-powered data centre park in Nava Raipur. Polymatech Electronics will set up the semiconductor facility, expected to produce 10 billion chips annually by 2030. Alongside, RackBank Datacenters is establishing a 150 MW data centre projected to generate over 2,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The tourism sector has also been granted industrial status, with initiatives aimed at turning Bastar and Surguja into eco-tourism and heritage hubs. Projects include a 200-acre medical city and a 142-acre pharmaceutical hub in Nava Raipur to boost healthcare and employment.

To improve logistics infrastructure, the state cabinet approved the Chhattisgarh Logistics Policy 2025 on June 30. The policy aims to develop logistics parks, cold chains, transport centres, and air cargo facilities, particularly in tribal districts. Investors in these areas will receive an additional 10 per cent grant and up to 40 per cent infrastructure support.

Bastar, once synonymous with Naxalism, is now being seen as a symbol of peace and development. In the last 18 months, 435 hardcore Naxalites have been neutralised, 1,457 have surrendered, and 146 have been arrested.

The Niyad Nellanar Yojana is connecting remote villages with roads, electricity, schools, and health services. Villages like Belkapalli have received electricity after 77 years, while roads have reached Puverti, the native village of Naxal commander Hidma.

Tourism in the region is also gaining recognition. Dhoomdharas village was named a 'Best Tourism Village' by the United Nations, and Kanger Valley has been added to UNESCO’s tentative list. Local initiatives like homestay programmes, cultural festivals, and the Bastar Olympics are generating income and pride among tribal communities.

In terms of infrastructure, the state has earmarked INR 9,500 crore for the fiscal year 2025–26, including INR 2,000 crore for road construction. Central government-supported projects like the Urga-Katghora bypass, Raipur-Lakhnadoun Economic Corridor, and the Kharsia–Nava Raipur–Parmalaksa rail corridor are progressing rapidly. Chhattisgarh has also initiated INR 48,000 crore in railway projects and is modernising Bilaspur, Ambikapur, and Jagdalpur airports.

Chhattisgarh’s goals extend beyond industrialisation. With a commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, the state is advancing in green steel production, solar energy, and eco-friendly industrial zones.

Since the rollout of the new industrial policy, cross-sector companies have pledged over INR 5.5 lakh crore in investments, including INR 3.5 lakh crore for power generation—comprising 12,000 MW of thermal, 12,000 MW of renewable, and 4,000 MW of nuclear energy.

The state aims to raise its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) from INR 5.68 lakh crore in 2024–25 to INR 6.35 lakh crore by the end of the fiscal year. To support this growth, capital expenditure has increased from INR 22,000 crore to INR 26,000 crore, with a sharp focus on infrastructure.

Currently, Chhattisgarh maintains a 7.5 per cent growth rate—above the national average—demonstrating its determined stride toward becoming a key pillar of Viksit Bharat.

(ANI)