Skill-integrated industrial development is gaining new momentum in Chhattisgarh: CM Sai
Raipur. In a significant initiative to strongly link industrial development with future-oriented skill development, the Skill Development Department and the Department of Commerce and Industry of the Government of Chhattisgarh organized Chhattisgarh Skill Tech on December 23, 2025. This industry-focused investment program was organized under the Prime Minister’s SETU Yojana (PM SETU) with the objective of encouraging private sector participation in skill development. During the program, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed on various investment proposals, and investment invitation letters were issued. In total, proposed investments exceeding ₹13,690 crore have emerged, which are expected to create more than 12,000 employment opportunities in the state. These investments will strengthen skill-based employment across various sectors.
GAIL’s Project Becomes the Cornerstone of Skill-Based Industrial Development
Among the investment commitments, GAIL’s proposed gas-based fertilizer plant has emerged as one of the major and largest industrial proposals for the state. With a first-phase investment of approximately ₹10,500 crore and a urea production capacity of 1.27 million metric tons per annum (MMTPA), this project will firmly establish Chhattisgarh on the country’s downstream petrochemical and fertilizer map. This proposed project is planned along GAIL’s Mumbai-Nagpur-Jharsuguda natural gas pipeline (MNJPL), based on favorable techno-economic feasibility. The project is proposed on more than 400 acres of land in the Bijetala area of Rajnandgaon district, while an additional 100 acres have been reserved for a dedicated township. The project also includes provisions for capacity expansion in the future, based on demand and infrastructure availability.
Upon commissioning, the project is expected to create approximately 3,500 direct employment opportunities. This will generate a continuous demand for skilled human resources in operations, technical services, logistics, maintenance, and related fields, further strengthening the state’s vision of skill-integrated industrialization. On this occasion, Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai said, “Chhattisgarh’s development model is based on connecting investment, employment, and skills. Through platforms like Chhattisgarh Skill Tech, we are translating investor confidence into tangible results on the ground, creating skilled employment opportunities in the state. Our strength lies in clear policies and effective implementation capabilities.”
Skill Ecosystem Strengthened by Investment Interest in Diverse Sectors
In addition to GAIL, Chhattisgarh Skill Tech also witnessed strong investor interest in apparel and textiles, pharmaceuticals, electronics manufacturing, solar panel manufacturing, and other emerging (sunrise) sectors. All these sectors align with the state’s skill development priorities and job creation goals. During the event, the Aditya Birla Skill Center established in Jashpur was also highlighted as a significant industry-driven skill initiative aimed at strengthening the workforce capabilities in traditional and emerging sectors and enhancing livelihood opportunities. Chhattisgarh Skill Tech has proven to be a platform that further accelerates the investment momentum already underway in the state.
It is noteworthy that in the last one year, Chhattisgarh has received investment proposals worth ₹7.83 lakh crore through more than 200 projects, of which approximately 50 percent of the projects have entered the implementation phase. Significantly, 58 percent of the projects under implementation belong to the priority sectors identified by the state. These investments are spread across 26 districts of the state, reflecting the Chhattisgarh government’s special focus on regional balance and industrial diversification. This event reaffirms Chhattisgarh’s emerging identity where industrial investment, skill development, and inclusive growth move forward in parallel, ensuring that economic progress translates into long-term and meaningful livelihood opportunities for the state’s youth.
