New Delhi [India], April 18 (HBTV): Chhattisgarh Finance Minister O P Choudhary on Saturday highlighted the economic and developmental potential of Nava Raipur during the Vichaar for Viksit Chhattisgarh conclave, citing its strategic advantages over other cities, including Amravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh.

‘I want to tell you that Nava Raipur spans a total area of 237 square kilometers. Such a large piece of land being connected to our capital city is a big advantage,’ he said, referring to the state’s vision of developing the region into a modern urban centre.

Choudhary discussed India’s economic trajectory, stating, ‘Today, we talk about the Indian economy being worth USD 3.7 trillion, and by 2047, when India becomes a developed country, this economy is expected to grow to USD 30–55 trillion, maybe even beyond USD 50 trillion.’

He emphasised the role of emerging cities in that growth, adding, ‘Tier 2 cities would play a bigger role than Tier 1 cities in India’s economic growth over the coming decades.’

Referring to development projects underway, Choudhary said, ‘We have a land bank, which is why we are able to bring Mayfair Resort, a semiconductor unit, Medicity, Edu City, data centre here.’

‘No other state in the country has such a vast land bank. Because we have this land bank, that’s why we are able to bring Mayfair Resort. That’s why we’re planning for a semiconductor unit, that’s why we are able to build a Medicity, an Edu City. That’s why we are setting up data centres here,’ he said.

Addressing the challenges of urbanisation in large cities, he noted, ‘Today, if you go to any Tier 1 city, traffic is such a huge problem. A distance might be just 5 km, but the time has come where we no longer measure distance in kilometers—we measure it in hours and minutes.’

Choudhary also pointed to Nava Raipur’s locational advantage. ‘There are three key formulas for any place to progress: location, location, and location. We are just 90 minutes away from any metro city in the country,’ he said.

On environmental aspects, he said, ‘30% of Nava Raipur’s area is recreational and green. With growing concerns around air quality... Nava Raipur will thrive, because the Air Quality Index here, the green space we have, is unmatched by any capital city in any state in the country today.’

(ANI)