Raipur division
Administrative division of Chhattisgarh, India
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Raipur division is an administrative unit of the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. Headquartered in the capital city of Raipur, it is the administrative, financial, and educational nerve center of the state.[1] The division is centrally located and serves as the gateway to the southern and northern regions of Chhattisgarh.
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Raipur division
रायपुर संभाग | |
|---|---|
Division of Chhattisgarh | |
The Mantralaya (Secretariat) at Nava Raipur | |
 Map of Chhattisgarh with Raipur division highlighted | |
  Raipur division  Raipur division | |
| Coordinates (Raipur): 21.25°N 81.63°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Chhattisgarh |
| Headquarters | Raipur |
| Districts | 5 (Baloda Bazar-Bhatapara, Dhamtari, Gariaband, Mahasamund and Raipur) |
| Area | |
• Total | 22,626 km2 (8,736 sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+05:30 (IST) |
| Website | raipur |
History
The Raipur division has historically been the seat of the Haihayavanshi kings and later became the headquarters of the Chhattisgarh division under the British Central Provinces in 1862.[2] Post-2000, with the creation of Chhattisgarh, the division's importance surged as Raipur was designated the state capital.
Administration
The division is led by a Divisional Commissioner. It consists of five districts:[3]
| District | Headquarters | Established | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raipur | Raipur | 1861 | State Capital, Commercial Hub |
| Dhamtari | Dhamtari | 1998 | Gangrel Dam, Rice Mills |
| Mahasamund | Mahasamund | 1998 | Sirpur Archaeological Site |
| Gariaband | Gariaband | 2012 | Jatmai-Ghatarani Temples |
| Baloda Bazar | Baloda Bazar | 2012 | Cement Hub of India |
Economy and infrastructure
Raipur division is the highest revenue-contributing division of the state:
- Nava Raipur: A planned smart city serving as the new administrative capital. It features the Mantralaya, various government directorates, and international-standard cricket stadiums.[4]
- Industry: Baloda Bazar district is known as the "Cement Hub of India," housing major plants like UltraTech, Ambuja, and Lafarge.[5]
- Trade: Raipur city is a major trading center for steel, coal, and agricultural products across Central India.
Education
The division is the educational capital of the state, hosting several premier national institutions:[6]
- AIIMS Raipur
- IIM Raipur
- NIT Raipur
- HNLU
- Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University (PRSU)
Connectivity
- Air: Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur is one of the busiest in Central India, connecting the state to major metros like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.[7]
- Rail: Raipur Junction is a key station on the Howrah–Nagpur–Mumbai line and is part of the SECR zone.