RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh government is steadily advancing its vision to develop Nava Raipur into a modern, employment-oriented city with top-tier infrastructure, drawing substantial private investment.
Nava Raipur, the state’s hi-tech capital region located about 20 km from old Raipur, has reportedly become the country’s first fully debt-free city. The Naya Raipur Development Authority (NRDA), a special body set up in 2006 to spearhead the smart city project, has successfully cleared its entire debt of ₹1,788 crore—borrowed from the Central Government and nationalised banks.
Built from the ground up with a comprehensive master plan, Nava Raipur’s growth aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Developed India @2047’ vision. Officials attribute this milestone to the state’s sound financial management, transparent governance, and policy-driven approach.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hailed the development as a major step forward: “Becoming debt-free will accelerate infrastructure projects and the rollout of new initiatives in this thoughtfully planned capital city.”
Previously, NRDA had taken large loans primarily for land acquisition and the development of roads, government buildings, and institutions. However, the burden of loan repayments and interest had strained the agency’s finances.
“Through financial discipline, strategic planning, and transparency, we have not only freed the Authority from debt but also laid the foundation for sustainable growth,” added the Chief Minister.
The state remains committed to shaping Nava Raipur into a global-standard, job-generating urban hub. As part of its third supplementary budget for 2024–25, it allocated ₹1,043 crore to the Nava Raipur Atal Nagar Development Authority (formerly NRDA), along with funding for industrial areas to spur revenue and development.
With the debt fully cleared, all NRDA properties are now free of encumbrances, streamlining real estate transactions and commercial activity. This will further accelerate infrastructure projects, improve public services, and support emerging sectors such as medical tourism, textiles, and IT.
Set to become a major economic driver for Chhattisgarh, Nava Raipur already boasts India’s third-largest international cricket stadium and is quickly establishing itself as a future-ready city.
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