Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the new Vidarbha Zonal Office of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Nagpur on Sunday, calling upon the region to spearhead India’s next industrial wave focused on green, inclusive, and innovation-driven growth.
Addressing the “India@100: Charting Vidarbha’s Journey to a Developed India” conference, Shri Gadkari said that Vidarbha’s future lies in sustainable industries, integrated logistics, and agro-based value chains. He stressed that Nagpur must evolve as a model city where infrastructure supports enterprise and enterprise uplifts the last mile, noting that if India aspires to become a developed nation by 2047, regions like Vidarbha must lead from the front. He called on industry, academia, and civil society to unite in building Vidarbha into a vibrant, innovation-led economic zone.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in his message, congratulated CII on the launch of the new zonal office, describing it as a timely and strategic move. He said that Vidarbha has the potential to be at the forefront of India’s growth story and expressed confidence that the Nagpur office would emerge as a hub for collaboration, investment, and inclusive development for the entire region.
The establishment of the CII Vidarbha Zonal Office reflects the industry body’s commitment to decentralised engagement and region-specific development. With Nagpur strategically located at the junction of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, the new office is expected to strengthen policy advocacy, industry-academia collaboration, and MSME competitiveness. Rishi Kumar Bagla, Chairman of CII Western Region and CMD of BG Electricals and Electronics India Ltd, said the office is not just a symbolic milestone but a working platform to drive policy dialogue, innovation, and enterprise growth in Vidarbha. He also highlighted the proposed mega steel plant in Gadchiroli, calling it a transformational project that could generate jobs, boost ancillary industries, and reshape the region’s economic trajectory.
The India@100 conference witnessed an active participation of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and academicians who shared a common vision of inclusive growth. Shree Jamdar, Chairman of the CII Vidarbha Zonal Council and Partner at Kinetic Gears, underscored the need for economic models that draw strength from MSMEs, youth, and the rural economy, pledging that CII will work to unlock local capacity and remove systemic barriers to growth. Satyanarayan Nuwal, Chairman and Non-Executive Director of Solar Industries India Ltd, spoke about the challenges and opportunities for building global enterprises from smaller cities like Nagpur, emphasizing the need for access to capital, markets, and connectivity. Dr Bhimaraya Metri, Director of IIM Nagpur, highlighted the importance of strong industry-academia partnerships to create a future-ready workforce, adding that CII’s presence in the region would accelerate leadership and innovation initiatives. He also noted the success of the CII IT Conclave, held annually at IIM Nagpur, as a platform for youth engagement and technology-driven discussions.
The launch of the zonal office is expected to act as a catalyst for Vidarbha’s industrial transformation, aligning with Maharashtra’s ₹25,567 crore Comprehensive Mobility Plan and national infrastructure initiatives such as Bharat Mala, Sagar Mala, and Gati Shakti. With Nagpur emerging as a multi-modal logistics and industrial hub, the office is envisioned as a driver of sustainable infrastructure, enterprise growth, and inclusive development across the region.
Concluding the session, Shri Gadkari described the gathering as a defining moment rather than a ceremonial occasion, urging all stakeholders to transform Vidarbha into a powerhouse of industrial excellence and future-ready innovation. “If India is to lead the global stage by 2047, regions like Vidarbha must lead from the front,” he said, echoing the collective resolve of government, industry, and academia to reposition Vidarbha as a frontrunner in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation.
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