Nagpur Airport Expansion Wins Industry Backing as Stakeholders Call It ‘Turning Point’ for Vidarbha The Union cabinet’s recent approval for the modernisation and expansion of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur under a public-private partnership model has been hailed as a pivotal moment for the region’s economic development. Industry bodies, trade associations, and infrastructure stakeholders across Vidarbha have expressed strong support for the decision, which clears the way for the long-delayed Mihan project. The move is expected to accelerate investments, logistics growth, and regional connectivity in Central India, marking a significant step toward transforming Nagpur into a major aviation and economic hub. The approval allows GMR Nagpur International Airport Ltd to take over the airport’s operations and oversee its long-term development after years of legal and administrative challenges. Union minister Nitin Gadkari emphasized the decision as a “landmark boost” for aviation infrastructure, stating that the expansion will enhance passenger and cargo services, enabling the airport to handle nearly 30 million passengers annually. He highlighted the project’s potential to strengthen regional connectivity, boost cargo capacity, and solidify Nagpur’s position as a key aviation center in Central India. The Vidarbha Economic Development (VED) Council president, Rina Sinha, described the approval as the culmination of a vision first proposed nearly three decades ago. She noted that transferring the airport to GMR would establish a world-class passenger and cargo hub in Nagpur, with the MIHAN project now entering its final phase.#nitin_gadkari #dr_babasaheb_ambedkar_international_airport #ved_council #mihan_project #gmr_nagpur_international_airport_ltd
Viksit Bharat Nagpur Start-Up Conclave to Unite 40 Startups in April 10-11 Event Nagpur: The Vidarbha Economic Development (VED) Council, in partnership with start-up mentoring firm Lemon Ideas, Nagpur University (NU), and Vidarbha Infotech, is set to host the Viksit Bharat Nagpur Start-Up Conclave from April 10 to 11. The event aims to attract over 40 start-ups from across India, with organizers emphasizing its role in positioning Nagpur as a global hub for innovation. At a pre-event media briefing, VED president Rina Sinha highlighted the conclave’s goal of elevating the city’s startup ecosystem. Nagpur University’s vice-chancellor, Manali Kshirsagar, underscored the institution’s commitment to supporting start-ups beyond its student body. She stated that the university is open to individuals of all ages, including minors as young as 8 and senior citizens seeking to launch second careers. “Even those not affiliated with the university can submit their startup ideas and gain access to our incubation center,” Kshirsagar said. This marks the first time the university will invest in start-ups through its incubation center, a move expected to attract larger investors. Currently, the NU incubation center hosts 30 start-ups, four of which have achieved revenue milestones. Director of the incubation center, Incubein Foundation, Abhay Deshpande, noted that one of the ventures has surpassed Rs20 crore in revenue, while two others have also reached profitability. “The cumulative revenue generated by start-ups under incubation exceeds Rs40 crore,” Deshpande added. The conclave will also feature the Innopreneurs Global Start-Up Contests, which will evaluate the best ideas from participants.#nagpur_university #ved_council #lemon_ideas #vidarbha_infotech #innopreneurs_global_start_up_contests
