Nava Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh, might soon find itself on the country’s tech map as the state gears up to set up what it claims could be India’s first artificial intelligence (AI)-centric Special Economic Zone (SEZ). While plans are still unfolding, the intention is clear: to create a dedicated space exclusively for developing AI and data-related technologies.
According to a senior government official, this upcoming SEZ will house modern computer systems, servers, and infrastructure to attract digital businesses from across the globe. The centrepiece of the project is a data centre spread across 1.5 lakh square feet, built using up-to-date technology.
The project is being handled by RackBank DataCenters Pvt Ltd, with an investment pegged at around ₹1,000 crore. The SEZ is being constructed over an area of roughly 6 acres in Nava Raipur.
Whether global companies will actually move in remains to be seen, but the ambition is to turn the capital into a digital hub.
To get things rolling, the state government has reportedly granted legal and tax exemptions for the zone. The idea is to create a smooth and incentivised environment for tech firms working in AI, cloud computing, and data management.
While the actual outcomes are yet to play out, the project is being pitched as a significant step towards boosting India’s position in the global tech arena. There’s also a vision to expand the centre in future phases. Officials suggest that four more high-density data centres may be built, with a combined capacity of 80 megawatts—enough, they say, to serve the digital needs of several states.
One of the key features being highlighted is the potential for employment and training. The company behind the SEZ has said it will run skill-based training programmes in collaboration with Chhattisgarh’s ITIs, engineering colleges, and polytechnic institutes.
This could prepare local youth for roles such as IT engineers, data analysts, cyber security officers, and network managers. For students in remote districts like Kanker, Sukma, Bilaspur, and Dantewada, this might offer opportunities to work with global companies—without leaving the state.
Chhattisgarh’s Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai called the project a “new beginning for Nava Chhattisgarh”, suggesting that it aligns with larger national goals like Digital India and Make in India. Whether the project will live up to its promise, however, will depend on actual business interest and long-term execution.
The official narrative projects optimism, but as with many tech infrastructure dreams in India, the devil will lie in the implementation. For now, it’s a wait-and-watch to see if this plan turns into more than just a digital blueprint.