Chief Minister Inaugurates First Regional Workshop on Urban Challenge Fund and Urban Invest Window

Raipur, 21 October 2026/Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai inaugurated the first regional workshop on the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) and Urban Invest Window (UiWIN) at Mayfair Lake Resort in Nava Raipur on Wednesday. The workshop was jointly organised by the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) and the Urban Administration and Development Department, Government of Chhattisgarh.

Addressing the workshop, the Chief Minister said that cities have a crucial role in building a developed India and a developed Chhattisgarh. Cities are not merely centres of housing and civic amenities; they are also major centres of economic activity, industry, trade, employment and innovation. He emphasised that the development of Chhattisgarh’s cities must therefore be planned, inclusive, sustainable and financially viable, taking into account the requirements of the coming decades rather than being limited to present needs.

ये खबर भी पढ़ें…

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai meets Rajasthan Legislative Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani

Raipur, October 22, 2026/ Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly Shri Vasudev Devnani paid a courtesy call on Chief Minister...

Plugin developed by ProSEOBlogger. Get free gpl themes.

Chief Minister Shri Sai said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, urban development in the country has gained a fresh perspective and new momentum. Innovative initiatives such as the Urban Challenge Fund offer a major opportunity to make cities modern, well-equipped, economically strong and self-reliant. He said that Chhattisgarh’s urban local bodies must make the best possible use of this opportunity by preparing quality projects that improve citizens’ lives while strengthening urban economies.

Two Important MoUs to Strengthen Urban Development

During the workshop, two important MoU were signed to support urban development, improve the management of financial resources and strengthen the technical and institutional capacities of urban local bodies in the state. The first MoU was signed between HUDCO and the Urban Administration and Development Department, Government of Chhattisgarh, and the second between the Urban Administration and Development Department and CEPT University.

ये खबर भी पढ़ें…

CG-RERA Imposes ₹25 Lakh Penalty on Salasar Vihar Promoter for Selling Plots Without Registration

Raipur, October 22, 2026/ Chhattisgarh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (CG-RERA) is taking strict action against promoters violating prescribed regulations to...

Plugin developed by ProSEOBlogger. Get free gpl themes.

Describing the agreements as important initiatives for urban development in the state, Chief Minister Shri Sai said they would help urban local bodies improve development project planning, mobilise financial resources, access technical expertise, receive training and build institutional capacity. This would accelerate the preparation and effective implementation of quality projects suited to the actual needs of cities.

He said that strong partnerships among expert institutions, financial institutions and the government are the need of the hour in urban development. Such institutional cooperation would play an important role in preparing Chhattisgarh’s cities to meet future requirements.

Urban Economy Has a Major Role in Achieving the Goal of a Developed Chhattisgarh

ये खबर भी पढ़ें…

President Droupadi Murmu Receives Warm Welcome on the Sacred Land of Chhattisgarh

Raipur, October 22, 2026/ Governor Shri Ramen Deka and Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai warmly welcomed President Smt. Droupadi...

Plugin developed by ProSEOBlogger. Get free gpl themes.

Chief Minister Shri Sai said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has resolved to make India a developed nation by 2047. In line with this goal, the Chhattisgarh Government has prepared a vision document for a developed Chhattisgarh and is working in mission mode to implement it.

He said that cities must be developed to attract investment, create a favourable environment for industry and trade, generate new employment opportunities and provide citizens with high-quality basic amenities. Planned urbanisation would provide a strong foundation for a developed Chhattisgarh.

Permanent Solutions Needed for Urban Problems

ये खबर भी पढ़ें…

President Droupadi Murmu releases ₹200 commemorative coin honouring Pujya Mata Hasi Devi

Raipur, October 22, 2026/ President Smt. Droupadi Murmu on Thursday released a ₹200 commemorative coin in honour of Pujya Mata...

Plugin developed by ProSEOBlogger. Get free gpl themes.

Chief Minister Shri Sai urged urban local bodies to prepare development plans that address not only present problems but also the requirements of the coming decades. Amid rapid urbanisation, long-term planning is essential for drinking water, drainage, roads, electricity, sanitation, transport and other civic amenities.

Referring to waterlogging in cities, he said that permanent solutions must be found to the difficulties citizens face during the rainy season. Effective drainage systems designed to meet long-term needs must be developed for this purpose.

The Chief Minister also drew attention to haphazard electricity and other utility cables. He said that in several places, electricity wires have to be raised to allow processions or large vehicles to pass. This is neither appropriate for public safety nor consistent with modern urban infrastructure. Plans should be prepared to lay electricity and other utility cables underground wherever feasible.

He said that better coordination among departments is also essential for urban development. Drinking water, roads, electricity, drainage and sanitation works should form part of integrated urban planning rather than being undertaken in isolation.

Public Representatives Should Plan for the Future of Their Cities

Addressing the mayors, chairpersons of municipal councils and nagar panchayats, and officials attending the workshop, Chief Minister Shri Sai said that people had entrusted them with the significant responsibility of developing their cities. Understanding their cities’ actual needs and problems and finding permanent solutions should therefore be their priority.

He said that the Urban Challenge Fund offers a major opportunity for urban local bodies. All bodies should carefully study its provisions, engage with experts and prepare projects that are technically sound, useful to citizens and financially viable.

The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the technical guidance and expert suggestions provided at the workshop would give a new direction to urban development in the state. Through coordinated efforts by the government, public representatives, urban local bodies and expert institutions, Chhattisgarh’s cities would be made clean, beautiful, well-planned, well-equipped and self-reliant.

Benefits of Development Reaching the Last Person

Chief Minister Shri Sai said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Central Government is working to ensure that the benefits of development reach the last person in society, guided by the principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas’.

He said that basic amenities such as roads, electricity, housing and drinking water are being extended to the habitations of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups through PM JANMAN. The Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan has also given fresh momentum to the comprehensive development of tribal areas.

Referring to the expansion of railway infrastructure in the state, the Chief Minister said that Chhattisgarh continues to receive major railway projects and facilities. The extension of rail connectivity to the Rowghat area of Bastar and the commencement of rail services from Raipur to Kurud are important achievements for the state’s development.

The Chief Minister said that Chhattisgarh is rich in natural and mineral resources. Its fertile land, abundant resources and hardworking people are its greatest strengths. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the firm resolve of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah and the indomitable courage of the security forces, successes against Naxalism have strengthened new prospects for development and investment in the state.

He said that everyone must work together to further strengthen the identity of ‘Chhattisgarhiya Sable Badhiya’ and build a Chhattisgarh that plays a leading role in making India a developed nation by 2047.

Rs. 1 Lakh Crore Urban Challenge Fund Offers a Major Opportunity for Cities: Shri Arun Sao

Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Administration and Development Minister Shri Arun Sao said that the Government of India has made a provision of Rs. 1 lakh crore for the Urban Challenge Fund. This offers a major opportunity for the development of Chhattisgarh’s cities. The challenge now is for the state’s urban local bodies to prepare quality, viable projects that enable them to secure the maximum possible resources from the fund.

He said that the world is changing rapidly, and citizens’ expectations are evolving alongside technology. Urban development practices must also change accordingly. Conventional methods alone cannot meet future requirements, and urban local bodies must adopt innovation and modern technology.

Addressing public representatives, Shri Sao said that the cities that had given them their identity, education, values and opportunities to progress had now entrusted them with leadership responsibilities. This was an opportunity to give something back to their cities. Every public representative should resolve to undertake work during their tenure that would benefit future generations as well.

He said that a project’s success is not determined by its construction alone. Plans for its utility, operation, maintenance and financial viability must be clear from the outset. Ensuring the proper use of every rupee of public money is everyone’s responsibility.

Urban Challenge Fund to Provide a New Foundation for Cities’ Development: Shri Tokhan Sahu

Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Tokhan Sahu said that urban development in the country has received a new direction under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Urban, Swachh Bharat Mission and AMRUT Mission have expanded civic amenities and brought significant improvements in people’s living standards.

He said that rapid urbanisation is steadily increasing the demand for housing, drinking water, roads, transport, sanitation and other civic amenities. Urban local bodies must therefore be made financially strong and self-reliant. The Urban Challenge Fund provides an important opportunity in this direction.

Shri Sahu said that development projects must be useful to citizens as well as financially viable. In addition to government assistance, options such as bank financing, market-based resources and public-private partnerships should be used effectively.

Citing innovations such as waste-to-energy generation in Jabalpur and water management and technology-based monitoring systems in Hyderabad, he said that Chhattisgarh’s urban local bodies should study successful initiatives across the country and adopt them according to local conditions.

Support for Expertise, Finance and Capacity Building

Experts at the workshop provided guidance on various aspects of the Urban Challenge Fund and Urban Invest Window, mobilisation of financial resources for urban development, project viability, modern urban planning and effective implementation.

The agreements involving the Urban Administration and Development Department, HUDCO and CEPT University will support the state’s urban local bodies in project preparation, financial management, technical expertise, training and institutional capacity building.

Mayors of all 14 municipal corporations in the state; chairpersons of municipal councils; Principal Secretary, Urban Administration and Development Department, Shri Sonmoni Borah; HUDCO Chairman and Managing Director Shri Sanjay Kulshrestha; Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, Telangana, Dr. T. K. Sreedevi; President of CEPT University Shri Barjor Mehta; Director, Urban Administration and Development Department, Shri Nilesh Mahadev Kshirsagar; Chief Executive Officer, SUDA, Shri Sumit Agrawal; public representatives, experts and senior officials were present.