TFP Bureau, Raipur, December 23, 2025: In a significant step towards synchronising industrial expansion with future-ready workforce development, the Chhattisgarh government on Tuesday hosted Chhattisgarh Skill Tech, a dedicated investment and skilling conclave organised jointly by the Department of Skill Development and the Department of Commerce and Industries. The event, held under the framework of the Prime Minister’s PM SETU scheme, aimed at attracting private sector participation in skill-linked industrial projects.
The conclave resulted in the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and the issuance of Invitation to Invest letters, cumulatively translating into proposed investments of over ₹13,690 crore. These commitments are projected to create more than 12,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities across a range of manufacturing and emerging technology sectors.
A major highlight of the event was the proposed ₹10,500 crore gas-based fertiliser project by GAIL, which emerged as the marquee investment and one of the largest single industrial proposals in Chhattisgarh in recent years. Planned with an initial urea production capacity of 1.27 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA), the project is expected to substantially strengthen the state’s footprint in the downstream petrochemical and fertiliser sectors.
The project is proposed along the Mumbai–Nagpur–Jharsuguda Natural Gas Pipeline (MNJPL), subject to favourable techno-economic feasibility. It is slated to be developed over more than 400 acres at Bijetala in Rajnandgaon district, with an additional 100 acres earmarked for a dedicated residential township. Provisions have also been made for future capacity expansion in line with market demand and infrastructure readiness.
Once operational, the GAIL facility is expected to generate around 3,500 employment opportunities, while creating sustained demand for skilled professionals in operations, technical services, logistics, maintenance and allied activities—reinforcing the state’s emphasis on skill-integrated industrialisation.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said Chhattisgarh’s development strategy is firmly anchored in linking investment with employment and skill creation. “Through platforms like Chhattisgarh Skill Tech, we are transforming investor confidence into tangible outcomes on the ground by creating skilled jobs within the state, supported by policy clarity and strong execution capabilities,” he said.
Beyond the GAIL proposal, the event witnessed robust interest from investors across garments and textiles, pharmaceuticals, electronics manufacturing, solar panel production and other sunrise sectors, all closely aligned with the state’s skilling priorities. The conclave also showcased industry-led skilling initiatives, including the Aditya Birla Skill Centre in Jashpur, aimed at strengthening workforce capabilities and improving livelihoods across both traditional and emerging industries.
Officials noted that Chhattisgarh Skill Tech builds on the state’s strong investment momentum over the past year, during which the state has attracted investment commitments worth ₹7.83 lakh crore across more than 200 proposals. Nearly half of these projects have already entered the implementation phase, with 58 per cent falling within identified thrust sectors. Importantly, these investments are spread across 26 districts, reflecting the state’s focus on regionally balanced and inclusive industrial growth.
The conclave reaffirmed Chhattisgarh’s emerging position as a state where industrial investment, skill development and inclusive growth move hand in hand, ensuring that economic expansion translates into sustainable, long-term livelihoods for the state’s youth.
