Nagpur's Rs 1,600 Crore Service Road and Logistics Hub Vision Unveiled by Nitin Gadkari
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced that construction works worth over Rs 1,600 crore are currently underway to build a comprehensive service road around Nagpur's ring road. This significant infrastructure project is part of a broader strategy to transform the city into a major logistics hub for India.
Logistics Parks and Transport Nagars Planned for Four Corners
During a seminar titled "Logistics Talent for Tomorrow" organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Saturday, Gadkari outlined ambitious plans to develop logistics parks at the four corners of Nagpur. He suggested that transport hubs, or "Transport Nagars," could be established along the outer areas of the city to streamline freight movement and reduce urban congestion.
"Nagpur is ideally located to emerge as the country's logistics capital," Gadkari stated, emphasizing the city's strategic geographical position. He highlighted that major cities in any direction are within a flight distance of 1.5 to 2 hours from Nagpur, making it a central node for distribution networks.
Infrastructure Development Along Key Corridors
The minister detailed that infrastructure development is planned along the Sindi dry port–Butibori corridor, which will enhance connectivity and support industrial growth. In addition to the service road project, several other key initiatives are in progress:
- The central jail will be relocated to free up space for urban development.
- Tenders for redeveloping the Cotton Market and Santra Market will be issued soon to modernize these commercial areas.
- Acquisition has begun for the four-laning of the road from Mayo Hospital to Shaheed Chowk, aimed at improving traffic flow.
- All godowns and market areas in congested parts of the city, including Kirana Market, will be shifted to Kalamana to alleviate traffic and pollution issues.
Gadkari explained that decongesting the city will benefit transporters by enabling smoother transit along outer areas, thereby boosting efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Celebrity Insights and Driver Welfare Discussions
On a lighter note, Gadkari recalled a conversation with Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, who mentioned that Dakota aircraft used to operate at night at Nagpur airport to transport passengers and cargo for local redistribution. This historical anecdote underscores Nagpur's long-standing role as a logistical center.
Actors Vicky Kaushal and Alia Bhatt were also present at the seminar, where discussions extended to better working hours for drivers, highlighting the human aspect of logistics and transportation reforms.
These comprehensive plans reflect a concerted effort to position Nagpur as a pivotal logistics and transportation hub, leveraging its central location and investing in critical infrastructure to drive economic growth and urban development.
