Nagpur Official Proposes Nighttime Vehicle Ban on Amrai Stretch to Curb Anti-Social Activities Standing Committee Chairperson Shivani Dani-Wakhare has proposed implementing a nighttime vehicle ban on the Amrai stretch near Nagpur’s airport to address issues such as littering, drinking, and anti-social activities. The measure, which requires approval from the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC), aims to restrict vehicular movement between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. Dani-Wakhare emphasized that the proposal is part of broader efforts to combat criminal behavior, noting that such activities often escalate during nighttime hours. The Amrai stretch, a critical access route to the rear side of the airport, is frequently used by motorists as a shortcut. During a recent review meeting, Dani-Wakhare highlighted that a similar restriction had been enforced previously but was not consistently upheld. She stated, “Most anti-social elements gather during the night. We will examine all possibilities to enforce the 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. restriction.” The proposal now hinges on MADC’s approval, as the company oversees the road’s jurisdiction. MADC officials informed the committee during the meeting that they face significant manpower constraints, as their personnel are also tasked with monitoring the Mihan area. Despite these limitations, Dani-Wakhare directed that security guards must be deployed at all three entry points of the Amrai stretch, regardless of staffing challenges. Municipal Commissioner Vipin Itankar, who also serves as MADC chairman, was unavailable for comment. Lokesh Thota, team lead of the Vrukshit Foundation, acknowledged the proposal’s intent but raised concerns about its effectiveness.#vipin_itankar #shivani_dani_wakhare #maharashtra_airport_development_company #vrukshit_foundation #amrai_stretch
Mihan’s Big Promise, Basic Problems: Bawankule Steps In As MADC Moves to Fix Civic Woes Residents of Mihan, a township under development near Nagpur, have turned to revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule to address long-standing civic issues that have plagued the area. The Mihan Residential Association (MiRA) has raised concerns about high water tariffs, inadequate waste collection, poor street lighting, unsafe roads, and weak infrastructure. These problems, residents argue, are hindering the township’s potential as a major IT hub. During a recent visit to Mihan, Bawankule, whose constituency includes the area, directed senior Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) officials to hold a meeting with residents to resolve the issues. Residents submitted a memorandum detailing their grievances, emphasizing that the problems have persisted despite Mihan’s projected growth. Bawankule reportedly instructed MADC chief Vipin Itankar to convene a review meeting with residents on June 11, bringing together officials from various departments to coordinate and ensure timely action. The meeting aimed to address the core complaints, including the water tariff structure, which residents claim is significantly higher than rates in Nagpur city. While the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) uses a slab-based billing system, MADC charges a uniform rate without consumption slabs. Under the revised April 2026 tariff schedule, domestic potable water is priced at ₹23.38 per 1,000 litres, while non-potable residential water costs ₹17.01 per 1,000 litres. Residents argue that the absence of slab-based billing means even households with modest consumption are charged rates comparable to the highest slabs in the city.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #vipin_itankar #maharashtra_airport_development_company #chandrashekhar_bawankule #mihan_residential_association
NMC Transport Committee Approves 1.55 Crore Feeder Bays for Electric Bus Expansion The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) transport committee, chaired by Mangala Khekre, approved two major projects aimed at modernizing the city’s public transport infrastructure during a meeting held at the NMC headquarters. The proposals focus on expanding electric bus operations by constructing 33 kilovolt (KV) feeder bays at two key bus depots, as well as securing land for a modern bus depot. The decisions were made to support the city’s transition to sustainable urban mobility and improve the efficiency of its public transport system. The first approved project involves the construction of feeder bays at the Wathoda depot in East Nagpur and the Khapri depot on Wardha Road. At Wathoda, the electric and civil works for the feeder bay will cost 80.07 lakh rupees after deducting supervision charges. Similarly, the Khapri depot project has been sanctioned at a cost of 74.93 lakh rupees. The total expenditure of 1.55 crore rupees will be drawn from a 35 crore provision allocated for bus depot infrastructure development. The proposal had already received the municipal commissioner’s approval on April 16, streamlining the implementation process. In addition to the feeder bays, the committee approved the permanent transfer of 3.54 hectares of land at Khapri, located outside the Mihan Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The land, identified by khasra numbers 145/1 and 146, will be used for developing a modern bus depot. This includes space for bus parking, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, and other transport facilities. The Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) board provided in-principle approval for the land allotment.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #maharashtra_airport_development_company #mangala_khekre #wathoda_depot #khapri_depot
Mihan SEZ Exports Surge 40% in FY 2025-26 Nagpur: Exports from Mihan, India’s largest multi-product special economic zone (SEZ), have surged by nearly 40% during the financial year 2025-26, according to data compiled by the development commissioner’s office under the ministry of commerce. The value of exports for the last fiscal year reached Rs9,626 crore, compared to Rs6,935 crore in the previous fiscal year (2024-25). While manufacturing exports drove the growth, services exports, primarily from the IT sector, saw a minor dip. The SEZ, which has been operational for two decades, reported services exports totaling Rs2,926 crore in 2025-26, down slightly from Rs2,974 crore in 2024-25. The decline was attributed to the IT sector’s performance, though officials noted that the easing of tariffs following an initial hike contributed to the overall export momentum. Manufacturing remained the key driver, with companies like Dassault Reliance Aviation Limited (DRAL) and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) leading the charge. These firms produce aircraft components, including parts for Dassault’s Falcon business jet and Rafael fighter jets. Lupin Pharma, a major player in the pharmaceutical sector, also contributed significantly to the SEZ’s export growth. Manohar Bhojwani, president of the Mihan Industries Association, highlighted that factors such as the costlier dollar and increased demand in overseas markets fueled the export surge. “The easing of tariffs after an initial hike has also helped push exports,” he said. Bhojwani added that Mihan’s exports include not only software, pharma, and aircraft components but also niger seeds and pulses, underscoring the SEZ’s diverse industrial base.#maharashtra_airport_development_company #mihan_sez #tata_advanced_systems #dassault_reliance_air_aviation #lupin_pharma
Mihan SEZ Exports Surge 40% in FY 2025-26 Exports from Mihan, India’s largest multi-product special economic zone (SEZ), surged nearly 40% during the financial year 2025-26, according to data compiled by the development commissioner’s office under the ministry of commerce. The value of exports reached Rs9,626 crore in the fiscal year, compared to Rs6,935 crore in the previous fiscal year (2024-25). While manufacturing exports drove the growth, services exports, primarily from the IT sector, saw a minor dip. The SEZ, which has been operational for two decades, reported services exports totaling Rs2,926 crore in 2025-26, slightly lower than Rs2,974 crore in 2024-25. The manufacturing sector, however, remained a key contributor, with companies like Dassault Reliance Aviation Limited (DRAL) and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) leading the charge. These firms produce aircraft components, including parts for Dassault’s Falcon business jet and Rafael fighter jets. Lupin Pharma, a major pharmaceutical player, also established itself as a significant exporter from the zone. Manohar Bhojwani, president of the Mihan Industries Association, attributed the growth to factors such as the costlier dollar and increased demand in overseas markets. He noted that the easing of tariffs after an initial hike further boosted exports. Bhojwani highlighted that Mihan’s export portfolio includes not only software, pharma, and aircraft components but also agricultural products like niger seeds and pulses. The SEZ’s requirement for companies to generate net foreign exchange earnings has pushed firms to prioritize exports. Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC), the developer of Mihan, is currently in talks with potential investors to attract new projects.#maharashtra_airport_development_company #mihan_sez #tata_advanced_systems #dassault_reliance_air_aviation #lupin_pharma
Mihan residents question ‘high’ water rate, seek parity Residents of Mihan, a residential area near Nagpur’s Multi-Modal International Hub Airport, are raising concerns over the steep water tariffs imposed by the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC). While the region is being promoted as a future IT hub, locals argue that the cost of water is disproportionately high compared to rates in Nagpur, where the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) employs a slab-based pricing system. The dispute has led to formal complaints from housing societies, with some residents also facing issues of water supply. The MADC’s current water tariff structure, which applies to all consumers in the project area, charges a flat rate of Rs21.26 per unit in 2025-26, set to rise further to Rs23.38 per 1,000 litres from April 1, 2026. This rate is significantly higher than the NMC’s slab-based model, which ranges from Rs8.99 for the first 20 units to Rs25.18 for consumption beyond 80 units. Residents argue that the MADC’s uniform pricing fails to account for varying consumption levels, effectively charging low users the same as high consumers. Deepak Birole, a resident and advocate for the issue, criticized the tariff as “excessively high,” noting that the area’s development as an IT hub should not come at the expense of basic necessities. He emphasized that the lack of a slab system means even minimal usage is billed at rates comparable to the upper slabs in Nagpur. “At a time when Mihan is being projected as an upcoming IT hub, residents are being forced to pay a premium for a basic necessity,” Birole said. Other residents highlighted broader civic challenges, including the absence of functional water connections in some societies.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #maharashtra_airport_development_company #mihan #deepak_birole #rk_dube
Nagpur Airport Struggles with Expansion Delays Amid Passenger Growth Nagpur: The Nagpur airport processed approximately 30 million passengers in the financial year ending March 2026, marking a 1 lakh passenger increase compared to the previous fiscal year. However, this growth still left the airport 15% below its peak capacity of 35 million passengers annually. Officials noted that expanding the terminal building is essential to accommodate more flights, but the limited physical space has stalled progress. The airport’s current management, Mihan India Limited (MIL), operates as a joint venture between the Maharashtra government’s Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Despite plans for minor expansion—aimed at increasing capacity by 5 million passengers or 5-6 flights per hour—the project remains uncertain due to spatial constraints. A major expansion, which would involve constructing a new terminal further along Wardha Road, has been delayed indefinitely. GMR Group, which won the bid to manage the airport one-and-a-half years ago, was expected to oversee the expansion. A court ruling had previously cleared the way for the takeover, but Cabinet approval for GMR to formally acquire the airport management has been pending for over a year. Without this approval, GMR cannot commence operations, leaving the expansion plans in limbo. The airport’s current capacity of 35 million passengers per year translates to 4-5 flights per hour. Adding more flights would require significant infrastructure upgrades, but the existing terminal’s limited space makes such expansion impractical.#airports_authority_of_india #gmr_group #maharashtra_airport_development_company #nagpur_airport #mihan_india_limited
Mihan to soon boast new multimodal logistics park Nagpur: The Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) has signed an agreement with the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) to develop a multimodal logistics park in the Mihan Special Economic Zone. The project, which will span 19.92 acres of land, aims to establish advanced warehousing infrastructure capable of handling diverse cargo types. The facility will integrate road, rail, and air connectivity to streamline the movement of goods, with a focus on reducing transit delays and enhancing supply chain efficiency. The logistics park will feature modern storage systems and cold chain infrastructure designed for perishable goods and pharmaceuticals, sectors critical to global trade. Located within a Special Economic Zone, the site will also offer single-window customs clearance, simplifying import-export procedures and reducing bureaucratic hurdles. Officials emphasized that the project aligns with national efforts to strengthen manufacturing competitiveness and integrate India’s trade networks globally. Nagpur, positioned at the geographic center of the country, has long been recognized as a strategic logistics hub. The development of this park is expected to further solidify its role by lowering logistics costs and improving efficiency. Officials described the initiative as a “game changer” for coordinated logistics development between central and state agencies, highlighting its potential to boost economic growth in the region. The project is projected to create employment opportunities across logistics, supply chain, and allied services, offering prospects for local youth.#nagpur #maharashtra_airport_development_company #central_warehousing_corporation #mihan_special_economic_zone #single_window_customs_clearance
Existing Land Use Survey Drags, Nagpur DP In Doldrums Nagpur’s long-overdue development plan (DP) faces further delays as the Existing Land Use (ELU) survey remains incomplete in more than half of the areas included in the expanded municipal limits. Of the 57 mauzas incorporated into the planning framework, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s town planning department has completed ELUs for only 25, leaving 32 areas pending even after the initial deadline passed. Civic officials attributed the slowdown to challenges in reconciling land-use data from the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT), which previously drafted the city’s development plan. The revised DP, mandated under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act, 1966, carries strict statutory timelines. Sections 23(1), 34, and 38 of the Act require the plan to be finalized within six months of its notification, setting December 13, 2025, as the deadline for publishing the final growth blueprint. However, doubts persist about the municipal corporation’s ability to meet this target, given its historical struggles with implementation. The last development plan, created by NIT in 2000, outlined 896 reservations for civic amenities like parks, schools, and roads, but over two decades later, only 92 reservations have been executed, with 804 still pending. Municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar, who recently took charge, reviewed the stalled progress during a meeting and directed the town planning department to complete the ELU survey for the remaining 32 mauzas by May 31, 2025. Originally scheduled for completion by December 13, 2024, the target was missed due to administrative and technical bottlenecks.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #nagpur_improvement_trust #vipin_itankar #maha_metro #maharashtra_airport_development_company
