Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, on Sunday laid out a comprehensive and ambitious vision for the development of Nagpur, his home city. Speaking at the Global Nagpur Awards Summit 2025 held at IIM-Nagpur, the minister announced a series of high-value projects spanning education, mobility, public spaces, and urban administration.
Major Infrastructure and Educational Push
At the heart of the announcements was a proposal for a Rs 700 crore agriculture college and research centre aimed at boosting the innovation ecosystem in the Vidarbha region. Gadkari emphasised that this institution would be crucial for the area's agricultural advancement.
In a bold move concerning higher education, the minister called for a complete reconstruction of Nagpur University. After a meeting with the new Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Manali Kshirsagar, Gadkari stated he advised her to demolish the existing campus, prepare a new master plan, and rebuild it from the ground up. He urged the university to mobilise alumni support to raise at least Rs 200 crore for the project, citing successful examples like LIT and VNIT.
Transport Upgrades and Quality Crackdown
To ease congestion for air travellers and industrial traffic, Gadkari revealed that his ministry has approved a new flyover that will directly connect the Mihan ROB exit to Nagpur airport. This is expected to significantly improve access to the aviation hub.
Further, the bhoomipuja for two major road concreting works—from Zero Mile to Automotive Square and from Poddareswhar Ram Mandir to Prajapati Nagar Metro Station—is scheduled for December 16.
Reflecting on national infrastructure quality, Gadkari shared a stern example from the Mumbai-Delhi Expressway, where after a test drive at 140 kmph revealed substandard work, he warned officials to have it redone or face blacklisting. He asserted that contractors would face penalties and officials suspension for any lapses.
Beyond Bricks and Mortar: Administration and Public Participation
Gadkari cautioned that infrastructure alone would not transform Nagpur. He stressed that quality in administration, transparency, and teamwork are equally essential to elevate the city's ranking on indices like the Domestic Happy Human Index.
Highlighting a model for public participation, the minister announced that Nagpur's gardens would be assigned unique thematic flowers and their maintenance would be handed over to responsible citizens and groups. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) will formally assign these gardens to 'good Samaritans' who will maintain them and receive due credit.
The minister also outlined expansive redevelopment plans, including:
- Transforming the Ramdaspeth–Kachipura area into a public sports and fitness district with Olympic-size pools, courts, stadiums, libraries, and auditoriums, projected to yield Rs 1,000 crore.
- Developing 13 new markets expected to generate Rs 3,000-4,000 crore for the city.
He recalled the successful acquisition of 35 hectares on Orange City Street for Rs 1.5 crore—a move initially criticised but which has already earned NMC Rs 800 crore, with eventual earnings projected at a staggering Rs 2,500 crore. Architect Hafeez Contractor was involved in this project.
Concluding with a personal note, Gadkari said, "Nagpur is my city — it is like my home. If anyone harms it or encroaches on it, I cannot control my anger. Ownership is essential. Technology and resources matter, but the sense of ownership matters equally." He also mentioned receiving assurances from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis that issues related to GMR's takeover of Nagpur airport would be resolved soon.
