In a significant step towards strengthening the state’s food safety and drug testing infrastructure, the Chhattisgarh government has granted administrative approval for ₹46.49 crore to construct an Integrated Food and Drug Testing Laboratory-cum-Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) building in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar. The decision was officially announced on Tuesday, reflecting the state administration’s commitment to ensuring public health and enhancing regulatory efficiency in the realms of food and pharmaceutical safety.

The project, which had been outlined in the state budget for the financial year 2025-26, aligns with the vision of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai to modernize and expand Chhattisgarh’s testing capabilities. According to an official statement, the new facility will occupy 1.5 acres of land in the rapidly developing Nava Raipur region. The government highlighted that the upgraded laboratory and FDA building would not only consolidate existing operations but also introduce advanced testing technologies, substantially expanding the scope and capacity of the state’s regulatory framework.

Currently, Chhattisgarh’s food and drug testing operations are conducted from a 5,000 square feet ground-plus-two-storied building in Raipur. The new facility is designed to span 30,000 square feet in a ground-plus-three-storied structure, making it a state-of-the-art center for scientific testing, regulatory enforcement, and public health oversight. Equipped with modern instrumentation and automated systems, the laboratory will enable more comprehensive monitoring of food and pharmaceutical products, ensuring that citizens have access to high-quality and safe consumables.

One of the key improvements highlighted in the project proposal is the significant increase in chemical testing capacity. The existing laboratory currently handles approximately 500–800 chemical samples annually, but the new facility is projected to process 7,000–8,000 samples per year, a nearly tenfold increase. This enhancement will allow the FDA to better monitor the quality of food products, beverages, and pharmaceutical items circulating within the state, addressing potential risks before they reach consumers.

In addition to chemical testing, the upgraded laboratory will have expanded microbiological testing capabilities. Presently limited, the new facility will conduct microbiological analyses for products such as injections, eye drops, and other sterile pharmaceuticals, with a projected capacity of 2,000 samples annually. This expansion is expected to significantly improve the detection and prevention of contamination in critical medical products, thereby safeguarding public health and reinforcing confidence in healthcare delivery systems.

The new laboratory will also introduce testing of medical devices and consumables, including gloves, catheters, and other essential items, with an estimated capacity of 500 samples annually. Furthermore, pharmaceutical product testing will experience a substantial enhancement, increasing from the current 50 samples per year to nearly 1,000 samples annually, allowing for more rigorous oversight of drugs and medical formulations. Collectively, these upgrades represent a comprehensive modernization of Chhattisgarh’s regulatory infrastructure, facilitating quicker, more accurate, and more transparent evaluation of food and drug products.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal lauded the chief minister for approving the project, emphasizing that the new facility would considerably strengthen the state’s food safety framework. The minister noted that enhanced laboratory capabilities would ensure that testing procedures are more transparent, efficient, and citizen-friendly, reinforcing the government’s commitment to public health and safety. With faster turnaround times and advanced diagnostic technologies, the FDA will be better positioned to detect adulteration, contamination, or substandard products, mitigating health risks for the population.

The decision to invest in an integrated laboratory and administrative building reflects the government’s broader approach to modern governance, combining regulatory oversight, technological advancement, and citizen-centric services. By consolidating testing facilities and FDA offices under one roof, the state aims to streamline workflows, improve coordination between scientific and administrative functions, and enhance the enforcement of food and drug regulations. Such a model is expected to improve responsiveness to complaints, reduce bureaucratic delays, and promote compliance with national and international standards.

The project also aligns with the state’s vision of developing Nava Raipur Atal Nagar as a modern administrative and regulatory hub. With increased urbanization and industrial activity in the region, there is a growing need for robust mechanisms to ensure the quality and safety of consumables. By situating the new laboratory in the heart of the state capital’s administrative center, the government ensures better accessibility, coordination with other regulatory bodies, and closer monitoring of emerging risks in food and pharmaceutical supply chains.

Officials indicated that the new facility would also support research and development initiatives aimed at improving testing protocols, identifying new contaminants, and adopting cutting-edge technologies for analytical assessments. This research-oriented approach is expected to enhance the scientific credibility of the FDA and facilitate collaborations with academic institutions, industry partners, and national regulatory agencies.

From a public perspective, the establishment of the new laboratory promises a substantial improvement in consumer protection. Residents of Chhattisgarh can anticipate faster certification of food and drug products, timely recall of substandard or adulterated items, and increased assurance of product safety. The project underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that citizens have access to safe, certified, and high-quality food and medicines, reducing the risk of health hazards and reinforcing public trust in state institutions.

The construction of the facility is expected to generate employment opportunities, both during the building phase and after operationalization, for technical staff, laboratory personnel, administrative employees, and enforcement officers. The integration of advanced instrumentation and testing systems will also provide a platform for skill development and capacity building, ensuring that personnel are well-equipped to meet modern regulatory challenges.

In conclusion, the Chhattisgarh government’s approval of ₹46.49 crore for the construction of an integrated food and drug testing laboratory and FDA building marks a landmark step in the state’s efforts to modernize public health infrastructure. By expanding chemical, microbiological, and medical product testing capabilities, the project aims to create a transparent, efficient, and technologically advanced regulatory ecosystem. The initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to citizen safety, regulatory excellence, and scientific rigor, setting a new benchmark for state-level oversight of food and pharmaceuticals. With enhanced testing capacity, modern facilities, and an integrated approach, Chhattisgarh is poised to ensure safer food and drug products, strengthen enforcement mechanisms, and foster greater public confidence in its regulatory framework.