What is behind Chhattisgarh’s ₹8 lakh crore investment claim?

Chhattisgarh has attracted around ₹8 lakh crore in investment commitments for 280 projects since the launch of the Industrial Development Policy 2024-30 in November 2024. The plan aims to generate more than 1.6 lakh jobs across various sectors, including electronics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, food processing, and IT. Nearly 55% of these projects have reached the groundwork stage, indicating significant progress in turning commitments into tangible action.

However, the ₹8 lakh crore figure represents a commitment, not money already invested, and the state government must ensure these projects move from approvals to construction, production, and employment.

Traditionally, Chhattisgarh's industrial economy has been focused on mining, steel, power, and mineral-based industries. The new policy seeks to broaden the industrial base by attracting investments in sectors where the state had limited presence earlier, such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, food processing, and IT. Notable projects under the policy include a ₹10,000 crore semiconductor unit by Polymatech Electronics, an AI data centre park with a capacity of 100,000 GPUs in Nava Raipur, and a disaster recovery data centre campus.

Other initiatives include the state's first units in garment manufacturing, consumer electronics, chocolate-based food processing, intraocular lens manufacturing, and global BPO operations.

To make the industrial ecosystem more attractive, the government has undertaken more than 450 reforms under the Industrial Development Policy 2024-30. These reforms include the Ease of Doing Business Act, which links approvals to an enterprise's risk category, with low- and medium-risk units receiving lifetime approvals. Additionally, the Jan Vishwas Act decriminalized 279 minor offences, and land approvals have been streamlined, with mutation now automatic after property registration.

Around 8,948 land diversions were completed on an intimation basis in the past six months, and industrial land allotment has been moved online, with 1,548 acres allotted without human intervention.

The government has introduced the OneClick Single Window System to provide around 187 services across 25 departments, reducing the number of separate approvals required from different departments. Incentives are being released within 28 days, and deemed-approval provisions have been introduced for certain services to expedite approvals.

Shops, offices, and restaurants are now allowed to operate round the clock, and women are permitted to work in all shifts with safety safeguards in place. These measures aim to facilitate the smooth functioning of industries, particularly in manufacturing and services.

Recognizing the increased investment interest, the state government is focusing on expanding infrastructure, connectivity, and basic services in tribal districts such as Bastar, Sukma, Kondagaon, and Dantewada. Applications for incentives from these districts have surged by 102%. The state's success in improving its regulatory environment and institutional framework is evident in its ranking as the top among 17 major states in the CRISIL-NITI Aayog Investment Friendliness Index 2026 and its designation as a Top Achiever in four business categories by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade's Business Reforms Action Plan ranking.

However, the real test lies in the conversion of these investment commitments into actual production and job creation within the next few years.