Raipur: Chhattisgarh Finance, Housing and Environment Minister OP Choudhary has said the Chhattisgarh Housing and Infrastructure Development Board will play a wider role in the state’s economic and infrastructure development, moving beyond its traditional focus on residential construction.
Addressing a state-level technical training workshop at the Chhattisgarh Samvad auditorium in Nava Raipur, Choudhary said the board should expand its involvement in roads, bridges, sports infrastructure, public buildings, town planning and urban redevelopment.
He stressed the need for modern technology, innovative financing, improved financial management and a results-oriented work culture to help the board contribute to the state’s vision of Viksit Chhattisgarh 2047.
The workshop was organised to strengthen the technical and administrative capabilities of the board’s officers and employees, with sessions covering construction technology, financial management, asset management and new approaches to infrastructure development.
Government Says ₹700 Crore Loan Liability Has Been Cleared
Choudhary said the board had faced significant financial challenges in previous years, including substantial loan liabilities, limited project activity and properties that remained unsold or vacant for long periods.
He stated that the state government, with support from the Finance Department, had taken a decision to clear approximately ₹700 crore in outstanding loan liabilities, easing the board’s financial burden.
The minister also highlighted the implementation of a one-time settlement (OTS) scheme to facilitate the sale of long-vacant properties. He said discounts, marketing initiatives and regular monitoring had helped improve property sales and the utilisation of available resources.
Choudhary credited the board’s leadership and staff for their efforts to improve its financial position. He added that the institution must generate revenue through its projects, services and assets rather than rely solely on budgetary support.
New Housing Projects to Be Linked to Demand and Bookings
The minister said some earlier housing projects had been launched without adequately assessing demand, leaving homes unsold and capital tied up in unused inventory.
To address this issue, the board has revised its approach to project selection and implementation. According to Choudhary, the tendering process now incorporates booking conditions requiring 30% bookings within the initial three months or 60% bookings overall.
The stated objective is to align new residential developments with actual demand and reduce unnecessary financial risks.
He asked officials to pay closer attention to location selection, construction quality, project costs, civic amenities and marketing. Providing quality housing suited to citizens’ needs and purchasing capacity, he said, should remain a priority.
Board to Pursue Roads, Bridges and Sports Infrastructure Projects
Choudhary said the board’s pool of experienced engineers, technical officers and employees could be used for projects beyond housing.
He identified roads, bridges, sports complexes, stadiums, public buildings and other infrastructure works as areas in which the board could develop greater expertise.
The minister also encouraged officials to participate in tenders issued by other states. He set out a target for the board to work towards securing projects outside Chhattisgarh over the next two years, which would require it to strengthen its technical capabilities and competitiveness.
Town Planning and PPP Models to Support Infrastructure Development
The minister said infrastructure development could not depend entirely on government budgets and called for greater use of public-private partnerships (PPPs), town planning schemes (TPS) and redevelopment models.
He noted that the state had expanded the scope for the Housing and Infrastructure Development Board, the Chhattisgarh State Industrial Development Corporation (CSIDC) and urban local bodies to participate in implementing town planning schemes.
Under a TPS model, land can be developed through planned arrangements for roads, water supply and other public amenities. After accounting for development costs and land required for infrastructure, developed plots are returned to landowners under the applicable scheme.
Choudhary said such approaches could help address difficulties associated with conventional land acquisition while supporting planned urban development.
Serikhedi Project Cited as Example of Land Savings
Citing the town planning project in Serikhedi, the minister referred to an infrastructure development initiative with an estimated cost of approximately ₹800 crore that is being pursued through a PPP model.
According to the figures he shared, an initial calculation indicated that around 218 acres of land would be required to account for development costs. Following a competitive tendering process, the land requirement was reduced to approximately 124 acres.
The minister said this represented a saving of around 94 acres, which could be used for other public purposes.
He presented the project as an example of how alternative financing and development arrangements could reduce direct pressure on government finances.
Redevelopment of Government Land to Create Public Facilities
Choudhary said government-owned land at prominent locations in different cities could be considered for redevelopment to improve public infrastructure.
He suggested that part of such land could be used commercially, with the resources generated helping finance facilities such as modern collectorate buildings, government offices, libraries, parks, stadiums and indoor sports complexes.
He asked board officials to identify suitable sites and prepare proposals that were practical and financially viable.
Focus on Sports Infrastructure and Long-Term Management
The minister said the development of sports facilities should be accompanied by effective operations, maintenance and management to ensure their continued use.
Referring to Raipur’s international cricket stadium, he highlighted the importance of operating sports facilities effectively to host national and international competitions.
He also mentioned initiatives to develop training facilities in Nava Raipur for sports such as badminton, swimming, squash and cricket, with the involvement of established athletes and specialist organisations.
Training Workshop Covers AI, Financial Management and Construction Quality
The technical workshop in Nava Raipur included sessions on administrative efficiency, leadership, marketing, governance, financial risk management and compliance in billing.
Participants also received guidance on:
- Artificial intelligence and online housing management.
- Asset management and relevant regulatory provisions.
- Town development and town planning schemes.
- Right to Information and resident welfare association handover procedures.
- Structural strength and quality of reinforced cement concrete (RCC) structures.
- Modern project marketing strategies.
- Institutional changes associated with the board’s expanded infrastructure role.
Experts from institutions including the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Raipur, the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Naya Raipur and the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Raipur were associated with the workshop’s sessions.
Board Chairman Reports Property Sales and New Project Pipeline
Housing and Infrastructure Development Board Chairman Anurag Singh Deo said the institution’s transition from a housing board to a broader infrastructure development body required changes in its working methods, technical capabilities and approach to project delivery.
He said the board had made progress in property sales and revenue generation over the preceding 18 months.
According to figures cited by the chairman, the board had sold approximately 8,000 properties and generated ₹1,800 crore in revenue. He also said new projects worth more than ₹2,000 crore had been advanced, with further projects being prepared for launch in December.
Singh Deo called on officials to improve the recovery of outstanding dues, accelerate property sales and ensure that projects were completed on schedule. He also stressed the importance of developing the capacity to compete for infrastructure tenders outside the state.
The chairman said the board’s broader objective was to develop planned, modern townships across all 33 districts of Chhattisgarh, with amenities such as parks, markets, community facilities, environmental provisions and electric vehicle charging stations.
Housing Board’s Role in Viksit Chhattisgarh 2047
Choudhary said the board’s contribution to the state’s development would depend on project quality, financial viability, timely execution and the usefulness of its facilities to the public.
He urged officers and employees to apply modern technology, strengthen professional management and adopt a more accountable approach to their work.
The workshop was attended by Housing and Environment Secretary Ankit Anand, board commissioner Avneesh Sharan, senior officials, engineers and technical specialists, alongside representatives of participating educational institutions.
The state government intends to develop the board into a financially stronger, self-reliant institution with a wider role in housing, town planning, infrastructure construction and urban redevelopment as part of its Viksit Chhattisgarh 2047 vision.
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