Chhattisgarh Cabinet Approves Rs 500-Crore AI Mission, BEML Heavy Equipment Plant, and Expansion of Rural Road Schemes
In a massive push toward technological advancement and industrial expansion, the Chhattisgarh government has greenlit a transformative Rs 500-crore Artificial Intelligence (AI) Mission during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai at Mahanadi Bhawan in Atal Nagar, Raipur. Alongside the groundbreaking five-year digital initiative, the state cabinet rolled out a series of high-impact policies, including land allotment for a major BEML manufacturing facility, structural expansions to the Chief Minister's Village Road Scheme, digital reforms in public works, and financial restructuring for the state power generation sector.
Rs 500-Crore AI Mission to Build Data Labs, Train Youth, and Transform Governance
Slated to run for five years, the newly approved Chhattisgarh State Artificial Intelligence Mission is designed to firmly position the state as a forward-looking digital hub aligned with the national India AI Mission. The ambitious framework includes setting up 100 AI data labs, establishing 5 Centers of Excellence, fostering over 300 AI startups, and rolling out more than 50 citizen-centric AI governance services. To build a future-ready workforce, the state aims to train 600,000 students and 150,000 government employees in cutting-edge AI competencies, driving transparency, speed, and efficiency across administration.
BEML Heavy Plant Approval and Expansion of Rural Roads
In a major boost to the industrial sector, the cabinet cleared a proposal to allocate land at concessional rates to Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML)—a prestigious Miniratna PSU—to establish a heavy earthmoving equipment manufacturing plant. This landmark project is expected to attract heavy investments, catalyze MSME growth, and generate robust local employment. Additionally, the government broadened the scope of the Chief Minister's Village Road and Development Scheme, cutting bureaucratic red tape by removing mandatory concrete drain and MNREGA soil work prerequisites while extending coverage to all rural roads left out of central schemes. Furthermore, the cabinet approved the digital WAMIS platform for transparent PWD management and sanctioned issuing up to Rs 200 crore in bonds/NCDs for Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company Limited (CSPGCL) to boost infrastructure investments.
