“If they go ahead, then it could bring in investments between Rs 10,000 crore to Rs 15,000 crore,” said Gadkari. Nagpur: Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday said auto major Ashok Leyland is considering an EV battery project as part of its expansion plans in Bhandara.
He said Mahindra had started work on a Rs 15,000 crore unit while Mihan project had already generated one lakh jobs in Vidarbha.
Pitching Vidarbha as an investment destination, Gadkari said the region had a strike-free industrial environment, growing logistics infrastructure and a dry port enabling direct exports. Gadkari said, “There is a very friendly atmosphere here and Vidarbha is a fantastic place for investments.”
Gadkari Highlights Nagpur’s Logistics Growth and India’s Auto Industry Surge
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that Nagpur is positioning itself as a logistics hub, now featuring an operational dry port that facilitates direct exports. He noted that Mahindra tractors are being shipped to Bangladesh via river from Haldia Port, which has significantly reduced logistics costs. Gadkari emphasized that the government’s zero mines policy will further simplify marketing efforts, urging stakeholders to establish their headquarters in Nagpur, stating, “We will fully cooperate with you.”
In addition, Gadkari reported that India’s automobile sector has risen to third place globally, trailing only the United States and China, with its valuation reaching Rs 23 lakh crore. He highlighted the industry’s progress, stating, “We were at seventh position; now we have crossed Japan to reach third. I aim to elevate this industry to number one in the world within five years.”