The Land Of Opportunities

Naya Raipur, India’s first greenfield smart city of the 21st century, has much to offer to the hotel industry, says Rajat Kumar, CEO, Naya Raipur Development Authority.

- Rajat Kumar

Since its creation in 2000, the State of Chhattisgarh has endeavoured to become a preferred business destination in India. Chhattisgarh has been one of the fastest growing states in the country. Strong core sector industries such as iron, steel, cement and thermal power have traditionally imparted a high growth thrust.

The dependency only on the core sector industries could not give boost to sustainable economic growth in the long run. Hence, we needed diversified channels to move the growth curve in an upward direction.

In 2006, well before the term ‘smart city’ had entered the common man’s vocabulary, Chhattisgarh had already started the development of this unique city, Naya Raipur, India’s first greenfield smart city of the 21st century. Naya Raipur Development Authority (NRDA) was entrusted with the job of developing a sustainable city with adequate physical, social and recreational infrastructure facilities spread over 237 sq-km.

As per the Planning Commission, 'Urbanisation' will be central to India’s strategy of achieving faster and more inclusive growth because agglomeration and densification of economic activities (and habitations) in urban conglomerations stimulates economic efficiencies and provides more opportunities for earning livelihoods. Thus urbanisation increases avenues for entrepreneurship and employment compared to what is possible in dispersed rural areas. It, thereby, enables faster inclusion of more people in the process of economic growth.