Kumar Bahukhandi
Planning the Cities of Tomorrow: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai presides over the appointment-letter distribution ceremony for 21 newly selected Assistant Directors (Planning) of the Town and Country Planning Department at Mahanadi Bhawan in Raipur on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. Sai told the young planners that they now carry an important responsibility in shaping Chhattisgarh’s future cities and towns-Photo Credit:channel24india.com via CG/DPR
21 Assistant Directors appointed together for the first time since State formation as CM calls for scientific urban planning, transparency and citizen-first governance
Key Highlights
- 21 Assistant Directors (Planning) appointed simultaneously to the Town and Country Planning Department.
- Only 17 Assistant Directors had been appointed during the previous 25 years since Chhattisgarh’s formation, according to the State government.
- CM Sai says young planners will carry the responsibility of shaping Chhattisgarh’s future cities and towns.
- Officers asked to place public interest, transparency, honesty and sensitivity at the centre of their work.
- Scientific planning sought for housing, roads, transport, public spaces, drainage and civic amenities.
- Urban planning linked with ‘Chhattisgarh Anjor: Vision 2047’.
- State government says more than 15,000 youths have received government appointments in the past two-and-a-half years.
- Recruitment processes for more than 7,000 police and 3,000 education posts have also been taken forward.
Raipur: The responsibility of shaping the cities and towns of tomorrow now rests significantly on a new generation of professional planners, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 as he handed over appointment letters to 21 newly selected Assistant Directors (Planning) of Chhattisgarh’s Town and Country Planning Department.
Addressing the appointment-letter distribution ceremony at Mahanadi Bhawan in Raipur, Sai said urban development could no longer be planned merely around present requirements. Rapid urbanisation, expanding municipal boundaries and new settlements along major roads require cities to anticipate the needs of generations yet to come.
“Cities should not be developed by keeping only present requirements in mind; they must be planned according to the needs of future generations,” Sai said.
The recruitment assumes particular significance because, according to the State government, only 17 Assistant Directors had been appointed to the department during the 25 years since Chhattisgarh was formed. On Wednesday alone, 21 young officers received appointment letters.
Sai said the appointments would strengthen the department’s professional capacity and help provide a more planned direction to Chhattisgarh’s rapidly expanding urban landscape.
‘Town Planning Is Not Just About Drawing Maps’
The Chief Minister told the newly appointed officers that town planning went far beyond preparing maps or determining land use.
“Town planning is not merely the work of drawing maps or deciding land use. It is directly connected with citizens’ quality of life and the future of our cities,” Sai said.
Good planning, he said, makes cities more organised, improves access to civic amenities and helps prevent problems caused by uncontrolled and unplanned expansion.
A New Generation of Town Planners: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai presents appointment letters to newly selected Assistant Directors (Planning) at Mahanadi Bhawan in Raipur on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, as Finance and Housing & Environment Minister O. P. Choudhary and other officials look on. Twenty-one Assistant Directors were appointed together, strengthening the State’s professional capacity for planned urban development-Photo Credit:channel24india.com via CG/DPR .
As population increasingly moves towards urban centres and new settlements emerge around cities and major transport corridors, long-term planning will be required for residential areas, commercial activity, roads, public spaces, transportation, drainage and other civic infrastructure.
“The young officers appointed today carry an important responsibility on their shoulders — shaping the future cities and towns of Chhattisgarh,” the Chief Minister said.
Sai also congratulated the parents and families of the selected officers, observing that seeing children receive an opportunity to serve the State after completing their education was a moment of pride for families.
Put Public Interest Above Everything Else
Along with professional competence, Sai placed particular emphasis on integrity and sensitivity in public service.
“Government service is an important medium of serving the people. Every decision taken by an officer affects the life of an ordinary citizen in one way or another,” he said.
He urged the officers to perform their responsibilities with honesty, commitment, sensitivity and transparency.
“Citizens should not have to face unnecessary difficulties even for their smallest work. While ensuring compliance with rules and procedures, public convenience and public interest must always receive the highest priority,” Sai said.
The Chief Minister also encouraged the young planners to use their technical education, contemporary knowledge and innovation to improve urban planning across the State.
Planned Urbanisation Central to Chhattisgarh Vision 2047
Connecting urban planning with the State’s long-term development ambitions, Sai referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of a developed India by 2047 and Chhattisgarh’s own ‘Chhattisgarh Anjor: Vision 2047’.
The State’s objective, he said, was to build a Chhattisgarh with modern infrastructure, better civic amenities, adequate opportunities for young people and development reaching every section of society.
“The goal of a developed Chhattisgarh cannot be achieved through government efforts alone. It requires the active participation of the administration, young people and every citizen of the State,” Sai said.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the government’s recruitment drive, saying more than 15,000 young people had received government appointments during the past two-and-a-half years.
Recruitment processes have also been taken forward for more than 7,000 posts in the Police Department and over 3,000 posts in the Education Department, while more than 1,200 appointments have been made in the power sector.
Sai said employment opportunities should not remain limited to government jobs, pointing to the State’s new industrial development policy, private-sector employment, job fairs, self-employment and entrepreneurship as other avenues being promoted for young people.
Finance and Housing & Environment Minister O. P. Choudhary said planned urbanisation would be critical to building a developed Chhattisgarh. He reminded the newly appointed officers that they had entered service through a transparent and impartial recruitment process and should ensure citizens experience the same transparency in their dealings with the department.
Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap said the knowledge, energy and modern outlook of the new generation of officers would strengthen the department and give fresh momentum to planned development.
Department Secretary Ankit Anand, Commissioner Avnish Sharan, senior departmental officials, newly appointed Assistant Directors and their family members attended the programme.
