Kumar Bahukhandi
Dr. Mahadev Prasad Pandey was a prominent freedom fighter. Dr. Pandey, who was honoured with Padma Shri, is also known as Chhattisgarh Mata’s beloved son. Now this education council will be known in his name-Photo Credit-CG/ PR
IN Short
*Nalanda complexes are not just buildings, they are the foundation of a bright future – CM Vishnu Deo Sai
*State committed to providing all facilities for youth aspirations – Deputy CM Arun Sao
*Central libraries to open in remote cities like Sukma, Dantewada, Narayanpur, Surajpur, Baikunthpur, ChirmIgniting Young Minds: 34 New Nalanda Complexes Coming Up Across Chhattisgarhiri, Kunkuri, Jashpur, Balrampur and Pendra
*High-quality books for higher education and competitive exams to aid youth career building
*Urban Administration Dept sanctions ₹237.58 crore for Nalanda complexes
Raipur: Chhattisgarh government is building 34 new Nalanda Complexes to give wings to the dreams of youth pursuing higher education and preparing for competitive exams. These complexes are not limited to big cities like Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, Bhilai, and Raigarh but are also coming up in remote forest regions such as Sukma, Dantewada, Narayanpur, Surajpur, Baikunthpur, Chirmiri, Kunkuri, Jashpur, Balrampur, and Pendra.
Nalanda Complex -Photo Credit -CG/PR
In the past two years, the Urban Administration & Development Department has sanctioned funds for 33 new Nalanda complexes. In Raigarh, work is underway on a 700-seater central library being built through CSR funding, following an agreement worth ₹42.56 crore between Raigarh Municipal Corporation and NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation). This will be the largest Nalanda complex in the state.
These Central Libraries-cum-Reading Zones will provide a conducive environment for competitive exam preparation across the state. They will also house high-quality books for higher education and competitive exams. Serving youth from all sections of society, these libraries will play a significant role in career building. Equipped with all modern facilities, they will offer both online and offline study options.
Over the last two years, the department has sanctioned ₹237.57 crore for 33 Nalanda complexes. In the current financial year 2025–26, ₹125.88 crore has been approved for 18 complexes in 17 urban bodies. In 2024–25, ₹111.70 crore was sanctioned for 15 complexes in different cities. Of these, tendering has been completed for 11 complexes and work orders have been issued to the construction agencies. These will start taking shape soon.
₹19.15 crore released for 11 Nalanda complexes
With the approval of Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Administration & Development Minister Arun Sao, the department this month released the first instalment of ₹19.14 crore for Nalanda complexes in 11 urban bodies. The municipal corporations of Durg, Rajnandgaon, and Ambikapur have each been allotted ₹2.85 crore. The municipalities of Balodabazar, Balod, Bemetara, Kawardha, Kanker, and Janjgir, as well as Kunkuri Nagar Panchayat, have each been given ₹1.10 crore. Jashpur Municipality has received ₹2.85 crore as the first instalment for its complex.
10 cities to get 500-seater, 22 cities to get 250-seater libraries
To provide an enabling environment for competitive exams and higher education, 500-seater libraries will be built in 10 urban bodies, while 250-seater facilities will come up in 22 cities. Durg, Rajnandgaon, Ambikapur, Jagdalpur, Bilaspur, Bhilai, Jashpur, Lormi, and Gariaband will each get a 500-seater Nalanda complex. Meanwhile, Dhamtari and Chirmiri municipal corporations; Kawardha, Janjgir-Naila, Balod, Balodabazar, Bemetara, Kanker, Narayanpur, Balrampur, Mungeli, Khairagarh, Sakti, Pendra, Sarangarh, Surajpur, Baikunthpur, Dantewada, and Sukma municipalities; and Kunkuri, Basna, and Ambagarh-Chowki Nagar Panchayats will each have a 250-seater central library-cum-reading zone.
Raipur currently has 3 libraries, 2 more on the way
The capital city currently operates three central libraries-cum-reading zones – the 1,000-seater Nalanda Complex-cum-Oxy Reading Zone, the 800-seater Takshashila Central Library-cum-Smart Reading Zone, and a 500-seater Central Library. In the past five years, 400 youth who studied here have been selected in various competitive exams, securing not only good jobs but also admission to prestigious higher education institutions. Two new libraries – a 1,000-seater and a 500-seater – will soon be built in Raipur, with ₹22.80 crore and ₹11.28 crore respectively sanctioned by the department.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said “We are building Nalanda complexes in cities across different regions so that youth from every corner – from Sukma to Surajpur and Raigarh to Kawardha – can access quality higher education-Photo Credit -CG/PR
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, citing the success of the Raipur Nalanda complex, said the Chhattisgarh government is working to give wings to the dreams of the state’s youth. “We are building Nalanda complexes in cities across different regions so that youth from every corner – from Sukma to Surajpur and Raigarh to Kawardha – can access quality higher education and competitive exam preparation facilities. These Nalanda complexes are not just buildings; they are the foundation of a bright future for our youth,” he said.
Deputy CM Arun Sao said the government is committed to providing all necessary facilities to fulfil the dreams of the state’s youth. “These fully-equipped libraries will offer a conducive environment and top-quality study material for students pursuing higher education and preparing for competitive exams. Nalanda complexes will play a vital role in helping the youth channel their hard work towards achieving their desired goals, with focus, dedication, and determination,” he added.
