The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) plans to start an educational hub in Wathoda catering to students from kindergarten to post-graduate levels. This initiative will be executed through a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The NMC envisions the development of an internationally acclaimed educational hub, providing students with top-notch facilities for a promising future. Just over 18 hectares (45 acres) owned by the civic body will be leased to the successful tender applicant for a period of 30 years, with an annual rent escalation of 5%.
The land will be divided into two sections: around two hectares for a school (nursery to XII) and 16 hectares for higher education, including the option for universities to establish off-campus centers.
Municipal Commissioner and Administrator, Abhijeet Chaudhari, stated officially that residents of Nagpur will receive a 20% discount on tuition fees. Additionally, educational institutions operating within the hub are mandated to reserve 25% of the seats for Nagpur residents. The allocation of nearly five acres to the schooling section provides ample space for massive infrastructure development, considering that the majority of schools in Nagpur operate on an average of one acre of land. With a fivefold increase in acreage, the educational hub can seamlessly integrate the entire pre-primary to higher secondary structure. Previously, the education system only recognized schools from Std I onwards, treating pre-primary sections as independent entities. However, the National Education Policy (NEP) now encompasses pre-primary education as well.
The expansive 16 hectares (40 acres) of land allocated for higher education can accommodate over 4,000 students. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) aims to have 50% of the curriculum focused on vocational training, ensuring that graduating students are well-prepared for the job market. The NMC is committed to making this educational hub a successful and impactful venture.