India's first artificial intelligence-focused special economic zone (SEZ) is set to be established in Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh, marking a transformative step in the country’s digital infrastructure.

Developed by RackBank Datacenters, an Indore-based carbon-neutral firm, the project involves an investment of Rs 1,000 crore and aims to become a national hub for AI research, development, and deployment.

Spread over six acres, the SEZ will house a 1.5 lakh sq. ft. data centre, equipped with high-end servers and four high-density data centres with a combined capacity of 80 megawatts. It will serve as a backbone for digital operations across multiple Indian states and host global technology giants like Google, OpenAI, Microsoft, and Meta. Beyond tech advancement, the SEZ is expected to create social impact by offering employment opportunities to youth from remote districts such as Kanker, Sukma, Bilaspur, and Dantewada, reducing the need for migration to metro cities.

The SEZ will enjoy tax exemptions and regulatory relaxations, fostering innovation and domestic tech development. RackBank will also partner with ITIs and engineering colleges to train local talent, aligning with India’s broader SEZ policy promoting exports, investment, and employment creation.