New Delhi: Chhattisgarh showcased its growing digital capabilities and cyber security infrastructure during the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 held at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. Representing the state, Finance and Cabinet Minister O.P. Choudhary presented a compelling case for Chhattisgarh as an emerging hub for data centers and telecom infrastructure development.
At the Roundtable Conference of State IT Ministers, Minister Choudhary emphasized Chhattisgarh’s commitment to digital transformation under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. He highlighted the state’s progress in establishing an advanced State Data Centre and a Managed Security Operations Centre (MSOC) to strengthen cyber security capabilities.
Chhattisgarh: A Rising Data Centre Destination
Minister Choudhary outlined the key advantages making Chhattisgarh a preferred destination for data center investments:
- Favorable geographical location
- Surplus power availability
- Seismic Zone II classification (low risk)
- Investor-friendly data center policy
He stated that these factors, along with a proactive governance approach, are positioning the state as a national hotspot for data infrastructure and disaster recovery centers.
Pitching for Telecom Infrastructure and High-Speed Internet Expansion
During the session chaired by Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister Choudhary advocated for the rapid expansion of mobile towers and high-speed internet connectivity in the state, especially in Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected regions. Over 1,600 telecom towers are being installed across low-density and security-sensitive districts.
He urged the Centre to provide special category benefits to Chhattisgarh under current schemes like:
- LWE Phase I & II
- Aspirational Districts Programme
- 4G Saturation Scheme
He also stressed the need for inclusion of Chhattisgarh in upcoming programs such as the Dharti Aba Yojana and the launch of state-specific telecom infrastructure schemes, especially for remote forested regions where satellite-based connectivity is the only viable solution.
Strengthening Rural Digital Access: ₹3,761 Crore BharatNet Proposal
The minister shared that under the Digital India Fund, the state has submitted a ₹3,761.15 crore proposal to the Central Government under BharatNet Phase-III. The project aims to connect 5,659 gram panchayats with optical fiber-based high-speed internet, enabling services like telemedicine, e-governance, and digital payments.
He urged for swift approval of this proposal, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Digital India.
AI-Optimized and Disaster Recovery Data Centers in Raipur
Chhattisgarh is already witnessing significant investment in data infrastructure:
- Rank Bank Data Centers has launched India’s first AI-Optimized Data Center Park in Raipur with an initial investment of ₹1,000 crore (to be scaled up to ₹3,000 crore over five years). Spread across 13.5 acres, the facility offers 80 MW capacity and houses 1 lakh GPUs, expected to create over 500 high-skilled jobs.
- ESDS Software Solutions has also proposed a ₹600 crore investment in an advanced AI-based data center in Raipur.
Call for National Collaboration and Investment
Minister O.P. Choudhary invited central government agencies, PSUs, and other state governments to set up disaster recovery data centers in Chhattisgarh. He assured that the state’s Single Window System will provide all necessary clearances and support to data center investors.
He also announced that the Right of Way (RoW) Rules 2024 have been notified in Chhattisgarh and made effective from January 1, 2025, with plans to onboard the central RoW portal, streamlining telecom infrastructure deployment across the state.
With robust infrastructure, strategic policy initiatives, and a forward-looking vision, Chhattisgarh is fast emerging as a digital powerhouse in India. The state’s strong pitch at IMC 2025 highlighted its readiness to play a leading role in India’s digital economy, telecom growth, and cyber resilience.
