Nava Raipur hosts the first regional workshop on the Urban Challenge Fund
21 October 2026
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai opened the first regional workshop on the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) and the Urban Investment Window (UiWIN) at Nava Raipur on 21 October 2026.
The state's Department of Urban Administration and Development put the day together with the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO).
Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao asked urban local bodies to prepare bankable projects so that the state can draw on the Rs 1 lakh crore fund.
Two agreements were signed at the workshop - one between HUDCO and the state urban department, and one between the department and CEPT University - covering project planning, finance, technical help and institutional capacity.
The Chief Minister said cities are now centres of industry, trade, employment and innovation, and that long-term plans must cover drinking water, drainage, roads, power, sanitation and public transport together.
He pressed for sound drainage against monsoon waterlogging and for underground cabling where it is workable.
He linked the effort to the state's own Viksit Chhattisgarh vision document, drawn up alongside the national goal of a developed India by 2047.
In plain words
UCF Urban Challenge Fund — A Union fund of Rs 1 lakh crore that backs city projects which can repay their own cost.
UiWIN Urban Investment Window — The window through which urban local bodies take their projects for investment support.
HUDCO Housing and Urban Development Corporation — The Union public sector lender for housing and urban infrastructure.