Raipur, October 21, 2026: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai today inaugurated the first regional workshop on the ‘Urban Challenge Fund’ (UCF) and ‘Urban Invest Window’ (UiWIN), organized jointly by the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) and the Urban Administration and Development Department of the Government of Chhattisgarh at a private hotel in Naya Raipur.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Sai stated that the role of our cities is vital in the creation of a Developed India and a Developed Chhattisgarh.
Sai emphasized that cities are not merely hubs for housing and civic amenities; they serve as the primary foundations for economic activity, industry, commerce, employment, and innovation. Therefore, the development of cities in Chhattisgarh should not be confined to current requirements alone; rather, it must be well-planned, inclusive, sustainable, and economically viable, keeping in mind the needs of the coming decades.
Chief Minister Sai noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urban development in the country has gained a fresh perspective and new momentum. Innovative initiatives like the Urban Challenge Fund offer a significant opportunity to transform cities into modern, well-equipped, economically empowered, and self-reliant urban centers.
He urged the urban local bodies (ULBs) of Chhattisgarh to make the most of this opportunity by developing high-quality projects that not only improve the lives of citizens but also strengthen the urban economy.
During the workshop, two significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed, aimed at advancing urban development in the state, improving the management of financial resources, and strengthening the technical and institutional capacities of the urban local bodies.
The first MoU was signed between HUDCO and the Urban Administration and Development Department of the Government of Chhattisgarh, while the second was entered into between the Urban Administration and Development Department and CEPT University.
Describing these agreements as a crucial step toward the state’s urban development, the Chief Minister stated that they would assist urban local bodies in formulating better development plans, mobilizing financial resources, accessing technical expertise, and facilitating training and institutional capacity building.
This will accelerate the development and effective implementation of high-quality projects tailored to the actual needs of cities, he said.
Sai stated that a strong partnership between specialized urban development organizations, financial institutions, and the government is the need of the hour. Such institutional collaboration will play a crucial role in preparing the cities of Chhattisgarh to meet future requirements.
The Chief Minister mentioned that Prime Minister Modi has set a resolve to build a Developed India by the year 2047. In line with this, the Government of Chhattisgarh has also prepared a vision document for a Developed Chhattisgarh and is working in ‘mission mode’ to translate this vision into reality.
