To upgrade the under-construction Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh International Agricultural Convention Centre in Dabha, Nagpur, into a world-class facility, the Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC) has requested the State Government to release an additional fund of Rs 200–250 crore. Around 70 per cent of the construction work is already complete, and MSIDC expects the project to be fully operational within six months of receiving the extra funds. The State Government has already released a fund of Rs 235 crore as the initial project cost and the authorities had planned to complete the work by December 2026. However, during his recent visit to the facility, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had directed MSIDC officials to make the Dabha centre one of the best facilities in the country.

 

He also assured them that additional funds would be provided.Naresh Borkar, Superintendent Engineer, MSIDC, confirmed the development, saying that the additional funds will take the upcoming facility to next level. The MSIDC officials told ‘The Hitavada’ that the funds will be utilised to develop a centralised air-conditioning system, solar panels, a top-class lighting system, internal roads, a periphery wall, modern parking facility, and other beautification work. The authorities are building an 80 m x 200 m column-free hall, one-of-its-kind and largest-span hall at the site. MSIDC is developing a 2,000-capacity main convention hall alongside multiple seminar halls, boardrooms, and break-out rooms for high-level summits.

 

There will be large covered exhibition halls, open-air display grounds, and landscaped garden zones designed to accommodate large farm machinery and technological stalls. In addition, there will be business lounges, large dining centres, and multi-tier parking for buses, four-wheelers, and two-wheelers. The work on the centre is going on in full swing in Dabha village on Amravati Road. It will be India’s largest International Agricultural Convention and Exhibition Centre, being built on more than 10 hectares of land. Though it is being built for agricultural events, the centre will also host other national and international events. Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV) has earmarked 21.7 hectares of land for the project, out of which the centre is being built on 10 hectares. It is important to note that the authorities are looking at developing the Dabha convention centre on par with the Bharat Mandapam located in New Delhi.