How weak connectivity has impeded growth of Naya Raipur

Here is a brief overview of Naya Raipur, what has impeded its growth, and what the government is doing to change things.

What is the Naya Raipur project?

After the formation of Chhattisgarh in 2000, the state’s first Chief Minister Ajit Jogi came up with a visionary plan of building a planned greenfield city spread over 237 sq km — the largest in India — which would be worthy of being a state capital, and help decongest the increasingly populous Raipur.

According to the masterplan, the city was to be divided into three zones. The core of the city, spread over 80 sq km, would contain most of the planned infrastructure and important buildings. Surrounding it would be a 130 sq km vast circle of land for agricultural use, with almost 12 sq km allocated for the airport next to the planned city.

Located more than 26 and 28 km from Raipur, Naya (literally “New”) Raipur boasts amenities such as underground sewerage, electricity and water lines, etc. A quarter of the city was reserved for recreational areas, with the city also boasting an ecological restoration plan, a non-polluting industrial zone, and an integrated security system for surveillance and traffic management.

Before 2010, the government had aimed for the city to have a population of 5.6 lakhs by 2031. As of 2024, the population of Naya Raipur is a far cry from this target, and increasing only gradually. Approximately 70,000 people stay in the city, with another 80,000 to 90,000 people staying in over a dozen villages in and around it.

Multiple challenges impeding growth

Experts believe that a lack of a rapid transport system between Raipur and New Raipur, lack of affordable housing projects for economically backward, lower class and middle class, social infrastructure like hospitals and degree colleges including residential colleges, and the lack of a vibrant service sector led to a slow growth.

Retired IFS officer SS Bajaj, who served for more than eight years as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Naya Raipur Atal Nagar Vikas Pradhikaran, told The Indian Express, “Connectivity is a major issue right now. Rapid transport connectivity of 20 minutes to reach New Raipur and strong last mile connectivity within the city is needed.”

Citizens too have highlighted similar issues. Raising security concerns, Tulsi Ram Pradhan, 68, who shifted to a Chhattisgarh housing board colony in New Raipur in 2017, said that at present, “buses have only three stops in Raipur which need to be increased. There is no bus stop for AIIMS hospital in Raipur.”

He added: “The water supply charges saw a steep hike to Rs 450 from Rs 250 by the previous government, and water is supplied twice a day when they had promised 24/7 water supply. Due to poor police presence, thieves are stealing iron and steel materials used to cover nullahs and fencing to protect tree seedlings and flowers. We need more hospitals and presently we depend on Raipur hospitals.”

Anurag Gupta,42, also staying in Naya Raipur since 2017, pointed to the fact that the railway station is 28 km away “strong bus connectivity is the need of the hour as taxis/rickshaws burn a hole in the pocket.” Gupta also highlighted some mobile connectivity issues as well as issues with hygiene. “Waste management is not done properly. Dumping yards need to be relocated outside the city away from the settlements,” he said.

B Aadinarayan Rao, 55, staying at a housing board building in sector 27 since 2015 said “They [the government] made some empty promises. We were promised a taxi stand and a community bhavan and a government school in the layout. The construction is poor, and we are facing water seepage issues. Bus service is dead at night, this needs to change. They need to increase bus frequency, provide more routes, stops especially to Raipur railway station, Abhanpur and Arang.”

According to retired IAS officer Sushil Trivedi, “Apart from rapid connectivity between the two cities, the government must work on developing the areas that fall between Raipur and New Raipur by facilitating development of housing societies, markets, schools, hospitals”.

Chhattisgarh government’s latest plans for New Raipur

The government aims to develop New Raipur, Durg, Bhilai and Raipur into State Capital Region (SCR) on the lines of Delhi’s National Capital Region (NCR). Rs 5 crore has been allotted for this purpose this financial year.

Earlier this year, the government inaugurated sprawling bungalows for the Chief Minister and other ministers. A new Vidhan Sabha is set to be opened while the Mantralaya (Secretariat) was shifted to Naya Raipur a decade back. Bureaucrats are gradually shifting their base as well.

This month, New Raipur will be connected to Raipur by a local train service with three stops. In the next six months, with an aim to make an effective public transport system for last mile connectivity, the government is planning to introduce 100 more buses, new bus routes, and e-auto-rickshaws which will have women drivers as well.

At present the waiting time for buses goes up to an hour, and buses function on a single route. But new buses will add routes connecting the city with four districts — Rajnandgaon, Durg, Raipur and Mahasamund. They will help to bring down average waiting time down to 15 minutes from Raipur, and residents can track the live status of buses using an app.

Saurabh Kumar, CEO, NRANVP, said, “Within six months we will strengthen the connectivity to New Raipur as well as within the city through e-rickshaws and buses. We will be constructing houses for all sections of society and are aggressively working on creating jobs, getting traffic police, markets, college and better health facilities.”

Secretary of Commerce and Industries department, Chhattisgarh, Rajat Kumar said, “By next year in the service sector at Naya Raipur, the existing operational EMC shall see further development and a new pharmaceutical park is likely to create hundreds of jobs.” Keeping climate change in mind, 1 lakh trees have been planted, including 10,000 Peepal trees.