Wings to Youth Aspirations: 34 New Nalanda Complexes to be Built

Urban Administration Department Approves ₹237.58 Crore for Nalanda Complexes
Central Libraries to Open in Remote Cities Including Sukma, Dantewada, Narayanpur, Surajpur, Baikunthpur, Chirmiri, Kunkuri, Jashpur, Balrampur, and Pendra

Raipur, Aug 2025 – The Chhattisgarh Government is constructing 34 new Nalanda complexes to give wings to the dreams of students pursuing higher education and preparing for competitive exams. These complexes will not only be established in major cities such as Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, Bhilai, and Raigarh, but also in remote forest areas like Sukma, Dantewada, Narayanpur, Surajpur, Baikunthpur, Chirmiri, Kunkuri, Jashpur, Balrampur, and Pendra.

In the past two years, the Urban Administration & Development Department has approved funding for 33 new Nalanda complexes. In Raigarh, a 700-seat Central Library is under construction through CSR, with an agreement worth ₹42.56 crore signed between Raigarh Municipal Corporation and NTPC. This will be the largest Nalanda complex in the state.

These Central Libraries-cum-Reading Zones will provide students across the state with a conducive environment for exam preparation, along with high-quality books for both higher education and competitive exams. Fully equipped with modern facilities, they will offer both online and offline learning.

In the current fiscal year 2025–26, ₹125.88 crore has been approved for 18 Nalanda complexes in 17 urban bodies, while in 2024–25, ₹111.70 crore was sanctioned for 15 complexes. Of these, work orders for 11 complexes have already been issued after completing the tender process.

Following the approval of Deputy Chief Minister & Urban Administration Minister Arun Sao, ₹19.15 crore has been released as the first installment for 11 complexes in cities such as Durg, Rajnandgaon, Ambikapur, Balodabazar, Balod, Bemetara, Kawardha, Kanker, Janjgir, Jashpur, and Kunkuri.

Ten cities will get 500-seat libraries, while 22 will get 250-seat ones. Raipur currently has three operational libraries, including the 1,000-seat Nalanda complex. In the last five years, 400 students from Nalanda have secured jobs or admissions in prestigious institutes. Soon, two new libraries with 1,000 and 500 seats will be built in the capital.

Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai called Nalanda complexes “the foundation of a bright future,” while Deputy CM Arun Sao said they will help youth focus with dedication to achieve their goals.