The Chhattisgarh government is establishing 34 new Nalanda complexes to support higher education students and those preparing for competitive exams. These complexes are not only being built in major cities like Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, Bhilai, and Raigarh but also in remote areas such as Sukma, Dantewada, Narayanpur, Surajpur, Baikunthpur, Chirimiri, Kunkuri, Jashpur, Balrampur, and Pendra. The Department of Urban Administration and Development has approved funds for 33 new Nalanda complexes in the past two years. A 700-seater Central Library is under construction in Raigarh through CSR. The Raigarh Municipal Corporation and NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation) have entered into an agreement worth ₹42.56 crore for this project, which will be the largest Nalanda complex in the state. These libraries will offer online and offline study facilities for students. The department has sanctioned ₹237.57 crore for 33 Nalanda complexes in the last two years. In the current fiscal year 2025-26, ₹125.88 crore has been approved for 18 Nalanda complexes in 17 urban bodies. In the previous fiscal year 2024-25, ₹111.70 crore was sanctioned for 15 Nalanda complexes in various cities. Tenders have been finalized for 11 of these complexes, and construction agencies have been issued work orders, with construction set to commence soon. The department has released a first installment of ₹19.14 crore for the construction of Nalanda complexes in 11 urban bodies. The first installment of ₹2.85 crore each has been released to Durg, Rajnandgaon, and Ambikapur Municipal Corporations. Additionally, ₹1.10 crore each has been released to Balodabazar, Balod, Bemetara, Kawardha, Kanker, and Janjgir municipalities, and Kunkuri Nagar Panchayat. For the construction of Nalanda complex, Jashpur municipality has received the first installment of ₹2.85 crore. To provide a conducive environment for competitive exams and higher education, 500-seater libraries will be built in ten urban bodies and 250-seater libraries in 22 cities. 500-seater Nalanda complexes will be constructed in Durg, Rajnandgaon, Ambikapur, Jagdalpur, Bilaspur, and Bhilai Municipal Corporations, as well as Jashpur, Lormi, and Gariyaband municipalities. Central libraries and reading zones with 250-seat capacity will be established in Dhamtari and Chirimiri Municipal Corporations, Kawardha, Janjgir-Naila, Balod, Balodabazar, Bemetara, Kanker, Narayanpur, Balrampur, Mungeli, Khairagarh, Shakti, Pendra, Sarangarh, Surajpur, Baikunthpur, Dantewada, and Sukma municipalities, and Kunkuri, Basna, and Ambikagarh-Chowki Nagar Panchayats. Currently, Raipur has three operational central libraries and reading zones. These include the 1000-seater Nalanda Complex-cum-Oxygen Reading Zone, the 800-seater Takshashila Central Library-cum-Smart Reading Zone, and the 500-seater Central Library. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has highlighted the success of Raipur’s Nalanda complex, stating that the Chhattisgarh government is working to give wings to the dreams of the youth. The construction of Nalanda complexes is underway in various cities to offer quality higher education and competitive exam preparation opportunities to the youth of every region in Chhattisgarh. Modern central libraries and reading zones are being opened from Sukma to Surajpur and Raigarh to Kawardha. These Nalanda complexes are not just buildings, but the foundation for the bright future of the youth. Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao emphasized the government’s commitment to providing all facilities to make the dreams of the youth a reality. These fully equipped libraries will provide a suitable environment for students pursuing higher education and preparing for competitive exams, along with excellent study materials. Nalanda complexes will play a significant role in helping the youth of the state achieve their goals, enabling them to progress with focus, dedication, and commitment.
