Highlights
* Bio-fuels: A large-scale facility will be developed to support sustainable energy solutions.
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Monday 10 Feb. 2025
* Semiconductors: A Rs 10,000 crore MoU was signed with Artificial Electronics Intelligence Materials Limited, marking a breakthrough in high-tech manufacturing.
* Electric vehicles: Leading EV manufacturer OLEKTRA inked a deal to expand operations in Vidarbha, along with setting up training centres for EV drivers and mechanics.
Nagpur: Vidarbha is rapidly emerging as Maharashtra’s new economic powerhouse, with Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressing confidence in the region’s transformative growth. The leaders made these remarks at the three-day Advantage Vidarbha Conclave, which concluded on Sunday in Nagpur.
Vidarbha’s boom: From industrial hub to revenue generator
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal underscored Vidarbha’s accelerating development, suggesting that Mumbai itself might struggle to keep pace. “Earlier, I was asked to bring industries from Mumbai to Vidarbha. Now, I feel the opposite might happen,” Goyal remarked, emphasizing the rapid expansion of industrial projects in the region.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reinforced this sentiment, highlighting strategic investments in Nagpur, Amravati, and Gadchiroli. He cited Gadchiroli’s iron ore mining boom as an example of Vidarbha’s untapped potential, stating that it would soon become Maharashtra’s second-largest revenue generator after Mumbai. Former Rajya Sabha MP Ajay Sancheti echoed this optimism, predicting that within a decade, Gadchiroli will lead in revenue generation due to Fadnavis’s initiatives.
Skill university and infrastructure growth
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced a proposal to establish a Skill University near the logistics hub on the Nagpur-Wardha district border. The university will focus on training skilled workers for the region’s growing logistics industry. Gadkari urged Fadnavis to allot 100 acres of land for the project, a proposal that the CM immediately approved.
The university will be developed in collaboration with the Association of Industrial Development (AID), whose chairman, Ashish Kale, confirmed AID’s commitment to the initiative.
Agriculture and Fisheries: Unlocking Vidarbha’s Potential
Gadkari also unveiled initiatives to boost agriculture and fisheries in the region. In a major push for citrus farming, he announced a partnership with Spain to improve orange cultivation in Vidarbha. He emphasized the need to increase productivity, which currently stands far below Spain’s 30 tonnes per acre. The plan includes developing a hybrid orange species by cross-breeding Vidarbha’s native oranges with Spain’s Tango variety.
Additionally, Gadkari revealed that a London-based firm has signed a Rs 500 crore MoU in the fisheries sector, with plans to use Vidarbha’s traditional malguzari tanks for breeding freshwater prawns.
Major investment in aviation sector expected
In a significant development, Fadnavis hinted at major investments in Vidarbha’s aviation sector. “Discussions are ongoing, and while details are still under wraps, this investment will further enhance Vidarbha’s status as a key industrial and logistics hub,” he stated.
Key MoUs signed: Pushing Vidarbha into the future
The conclave also witnessed the signing of three major Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at accelerating the region’s industrial progress:
1. Bio-Fuels: A large-scale facility will be developed to support sustainable energy solutions.
2. Semiconductors: A Rs 10,000 crore MoU was signed with Artificial Electronics Intelligence Materials Limited, marking a breakthrough in high-tech manufacturing.
3. Electric Vehicles: Leading EV manufacturer OLEKTRA inked a deal to expand operations in Vidarbha, along with setting up training centers for EV drivers and mechanics.
Political synergy driving Vidarbha’s growth
Rajya Sabha MP Praful Patel highlighted the rare alignment of political and administrative efforts working towards Vidarbha’s development. “It’s rare to see a region receive such focused attention from both the state and central governments. With Gadkariji and Fadnavisji leading the charge, Vidarbha is on the fast track to economic prominence,” he stated.
As the conclave concluded, the message was clear—Vidarbha is no longer Maharashtra’s neglected region. With multi-sector investments, policy support, and infrastructure expansion, the region is set to become a major economic driver, promising unprecedented growth and prosperity.
