The steel plant at Konsari, which is the first major industrial project in Naxal-affected Gadchiroli district, will be inaugurated in December. Also, a new project involving investment of Rs 30,000 crore will be launched around the same time, said Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister. In an informal interaction with journalists on the occasion of ‘Diwali Milan’ programme hosted by him at his official residence ‘Deogiri’ here on Saturday, Fadnavis said that the Konsari steel plant of Lloyds Metals was to be inaugurated on November 17. “However, we could not get the dates of Amit Shah, Union Home Minister, as he was busy with elections in some States. Now, the Konsari project may be inaugurated in December,” he said. Asked about more projects coming to Gadchiroli district, he replied that the district’s resources had potential to attract investments to the tune of Rs 2 lakh crore in a phased manner.

 

As far as Nagpur’s development is concerned, Fadnavis said that Nagpur was anchor location for the region. Hence, plans are to develop Nagpur as logistics hub. Accordingly, a lot of focus is on transport and infrastructure development. Feeder service for Ring Road locations can be integrated with metro rail service. Already, he said, Tata group firm has been asked to conduct a study in this regard. In Nagpur city, Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS) will be launched. “It will work on AI-powered predictive traffic signalling. At some places, sometimes, traffic is sparse but signals are red for a long time. Similarly, sometimes, traffic signals turn red for a short while even when traffic density is more. To avoid these situations and to help decongest, ITMS will be helpful as it will turn traffic signals red or green depending upon the real-time situation assessment,” he elaborated. Fadnavis did not reply when it was pointed out that the traffic violations including wrong-side riding and driving had assumed pandemic proportions in the city despite having CCTV cameras. But, added in response to another question that Nagpurians were still better at using helmets while riding two-wheelers.

 

Regarding other investments, the Deputy Chief Minister said that earlier in January this year, Nasdaq-listed firm ReNew Power had signed expression of interest (EoI) with State Department of Industries for investing around Rs 18,000 crore to set up metallurgical grade silicon, polysilicon and ingot-wafer manufacturing facility in Nagpur. It will serve as an anchor investment in the region. In fact, he added, the firm has sought additional land. Asked about materialisation of memorandums of understanding signed in the recent past, he replied that most had materialised. Regarding the State Government extending invitation to Swedish defence giant SAAB to invest in MIHAN area, he stated that he had proposed it in 2017-18 but there was no follow-up later on. “At present, they have one project of Rs 300 crore near Delhi. There are two more proposals, but we have placed a condition that there has to be 100 per cent transfer of technology. So, the discussion is on,” he added. On the new airport project lingering on, he said that it would soon take off as the legal issues were being sorted out.

 

To a question regarding the opposition to alleged shifting of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital from North Nagpur to MIHAN, Fadnavis replied that only the public-private-partnership or PPP model hospital was being shifted. “Since there is no point in taxing the citizens of North Nagpur by way of having PPP hospital there, only that component is being shifted elsewhere. However, the Government investment of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital would remain in North Nagpur, in the interest of people,” he explained. Regarding the opposition to dumping yard near residential areas becoming a challenge, Fadnavis observed that the concept of dumping yard was being abandoned. Instead, he added, focus was on reclamation of land and 100 per cent processing of waste. To a query regarding the Maharashtra Public Security Act to deal with Naxalites, the Home Minister reiterated that it would see the light of the day. “We have studied the laws in this regard in Telangana and Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra also will have it soon,” he stressed.

 

When his attention was attracted towards accidents on Samruddhi Mahamarg claiming lives, Devendra Fadnavis said that most of the mishaps were a result of drivers’ errors. “As far as the project is concerned, once the wayside amenities are in place, people will go to expressway for picnics. Besides, the work on laying gas pipeline is almost complete. Soon, the industries will get supply. The project will prove to be a game-changer for the region,” he said.

Rubbishing the reports in a segment of media, the senior leader of Bharatiya Janata Party reiterated that he would contest State Legislative Assembly polls from Nagpur only. To another question on leaders from other political leaders joining the BJP, he replied with a smile, “Some more may join us at right time.”

 

As far as Gosikhurd national irrigation project is concerned, Fadnavis said that the works as per the original plan would be completed by 2024 end. Asked about him and other leaders of the State going to Ayodhya on January 22 to witness the historic ceremony of public dedication of the grand Ram Temple, Fadnavis said that everyone associated with the agitation for the temple wished to be there on the said date. But, he added, it all depended on the arrangements there. Commenting on the issue of agitation regarding Maratha quota, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the State Government was working on it and would keep the word given to Maratha community by Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister.