Vidarbha To Be India's Steel, Logistics Hub With Rs 6 Lakh Crore Investment, Says Nitin Gadkari

Maharashtra's Vidarbha region will soon become India's steel and logistics hub, given its vast mineral resources and geographical location with investment commitments worth Rs 6 lakh crore, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Sunday.

"Vidarbha is home to 75% of Maharashtra's minerals and 80% of its forests. It can become logistics capital. There are airports being developed and a major infrastructure push is being given," Gadkari told NDTV Profit.

Maharashtra's eastern region, which houses the state's second capital of Nagpur, will benefit from coal and iron ore deposits, that will be utilised to make low-emissions green steel, he said.

"Vidarbha's coal stock makes it a power hub. Surjagarh's iron ore is of 65 grade, which requires lesser thermal coal. Vidarbha will be a steel hub going ahead. The coal economy here has untapped potential," Gadkari said.

Besides logistics and steel, the minister highlighted Vidarbha's tourism potential with national parks in Tadoba and Pench becoming a globally-renowned tiger hub. Moreover, cotton and pharma industries are also set to take off.