Facility at Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya to strengthen disease surveillance, vaccine research and preparedness for outbreaks
TFP Bureau, Raipur, October 12, 2026: Chhattisgarh has strengthened its scientific research infrastructure with the establishment of a state-of-the-art Biosafety Level-3 (BSL-3) laboratory at the Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV) campus in Raipur. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said the facility would boost advanced biosafety research, improve infectious disease detection and prevention, and create new opportunities for scientific innovation in the state.
Inaugurated on September 28, the laboratory has been established by the Chhattisgarh Biotech Promotion Society under the newly constructed Subhash Chandra Bose Biotech Incubation Centre on the university campus.
The facility is expected to support the identification and scientific study of infectious pathogens, the development of advanced diagnostic technologies, and research into vaccines and treatments. It will also strengthen disease surveillance and preparedness to respond to outbreaks affecting humans, animals and plants.
Sai said the expansion of biotechnology research and modern laboratory infrastructure was an important step towards the state’s overall development, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India. He noted that the facility was particularly significant for Chhattisgarh, where agriculture and animal husbandry play a major role in the economy.
The Chief Minister highlighted the laboratory’s potential to advance research into zoonotic diseases, which spread from animals to humans. He said the facility would help improve early detection of serious infectious diseases, strengthen diagnostic capabilities and provide scientists with a controlled research environment meeting high biosafety standards.
The laboratory is also expected to improve coordination among agricultural biotechnology, animal health and infectious disease research. Sai said it would support the One Health approach, which recognises the close links between human health, animal health and the environment.
The Chief Minister congratulated Dr Girish Chandel, Vice-Chancellor of IGKV and Chief Executive Officer of the Chhattisgarh Biotech Promotion Society, on the establishment of the facility.
IGKV has made significant contributions to agricultural research, biotechnology and modern laboratory development. Its Phytosanitary Laboratory supports testing and research involving agricultural samples, soil, water, crop residues and other materials. The new BSL-3 facility is expected to further strengthen the university’s research capabilities.
The laboratory will also offer opportunities for scientists, researchers, laboratory technicians and other specialists to undertake training and research in accordance with high biosafety standards. This is expected to help develop skilled scientific personnel in the state and encourage the adoption of advanced research techniques.
Expressing confidence in the facility’s future role, Sai said it would become an important centre for infectious disease research, biosafety, disease surveillance, the study of animal and zoonotic diseases, and outbreak preparedness. He added that it would give fresh momentum to advanced biosafety research in Chhattisgarh while strengthening IGKV’s research capacity and national recognition.
