Maharashtra Government has finally given green signal for starting the much awaited expansion work at Vidhan Bhavan complex at Nagpur, the seat of Winter Session of State Legislature. The Public Works Department (PWD) has sanctioned an outlay of Rs 662.89 crore for the project, that has two components - construction of new extension building plus the second and most important, erection of new administrative building on plot no. 1 in the Vidhan Bhavan complex. The ambitious development is being handled by Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC). To expedite the construction as the State wants to fasttrack the project, PWD has decided to go for Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) mode.

 

This would ensure that big firms can participate in the mega project. The State is pitching for EPC so that construction can be completed within shortest possible time, and the scope of work is also big. To start the construction, existing old structures, mostly the barracks in compound would need to be demolished. Another aspect of the project is that, till the expansion work is complete, Winter Session, the annual schedule of State Legislature, would not be held in city. The Infrastructure Development sub-committee of Maharashtra Cabinet had already approved the Vidhan Bhavan expansion project at its meeting held on March 11, 2026. ‘The Hitavada’ had already hinted last week that PWD is likely to accord sanction to the mega project. The PWD waited for start of new financial year as it ensured that the project budgetary allocation is cleared.

 

The local government has already completed the basic formalities, like Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) approving diversion of its open plot adjoining Vidhan Bhavan for the expansion project. The middle lane, separating Vidhan Bhavan and open plot behind BSNL office, near Zero Milestone, would get obliterated to ensure through passage for the Vidhan Bhavan compound. The necessary changes in Development Plan forwarded by NMC was also approved by Urban Development Department (UDD). The project has already received No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Industries Department for transferring the land admeasuring 9,670 square metres at Government Printing Press in Civil Lines. The second leg would be handled at later stage, the site has been selected for the construction of a Central Hall for the purpose of holding joint sitting of both Houses of State Legislature. During Winter Session in Nagpur in December 2024, the issue was discussed and the land swap was also finalised. Industries Department owns 4-acre land of Government Printing Press and it has decided to compensate them a parcel of land near Food and Civil Supplies Department behind Central Museum.

 

The expansion of Vidhan Bhavan is planned against the backdrop of possible rise in the Assembly constituencies post delimitation exercise. The new building will ease the present difficulty faced by the State Government in housing its offices during the Winter Session. At present, the offices are located at Hyderabad House, it is about 2 kms from Vidhan Bhavan. So the new building will be used to locate offices during the session, enabling smooth conduct of House business. The Vidhan Bhavan expansion is planned considering the needs for next 50 years. The estimated cost for the new building is Rs 900 crore and will have a Central Hall and an Administrative block. The capacity of the Central Hall will be 700. On certain occasions, Governor delivers speech addressing the members of both Houses and presently, Nagpur’s Vidhan Bhavan lacks such facility.