THE concluding day of the third edition of ‘Advantage Vidarbha – Khasdar Audyogik Mahotsav’ held here at RTMNU campus on Sunday saw signing of three new memorandum of understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 8,200 crore taking the total MoUs on investment signed during the three-day event to Rs 42,000 crore. The MoUs signed on the final day include - investment of Rs 5,000 crore in Vidarbha by Sunil Ferro and Engineering Private Limited;VIPL’s investment commitment of Rs 1,200 crore in collaboration with the MMRDA; Greta Energy Limited’s investment of Rs 2,000 crore; and an MoU signed between Aroha Hospitality and Mahindra Signature for the development of a five-star resort. In addition, a memorandum of understanding was also signed in the ed-tech sector between Learn Coach and the Learning School of Technology under the Association for Industrial Development (AID).

 

Expressing great satisfaction over the investments happening in various parts of the region, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said the proposed investment will create a huge opportunity for people of the region. “It will also generate jobs for the youths and bring in prosperity in the region,” he said addressing the valedictory session of the mega event‘Vidarbha Advantage 2026’. Nitin Gadkari expressed satisfaction that Vidarbha has received significant international exposure through this year’s Advantage Vidarbha – Khasdar Audyogik Mahotsav, marked by the signing of Memorandums of Understanding worth Rs 42,000 crore over three days and the presence of ambassadors from23 countries along with international industry representatives. He was addressing the gathering at the valedictory session of the third edition of Advantage Vidarbha – Khasdar Audyogik Mahotsav, organised by the Association for Industrial Development (AID) at the RTMNU campus. Highlighting the scale of the event, Gadkari noted that the ‘Advantage Vidarbha 2026’ featured 25 technical sessions, 250 mentors, more than 5,500 delegation members, ambassadors from various countries, and 52 B-to-B meetings.

 

He also informed that a full-time office of AID would be inaugurated in the month of May later this year to enable year-round activities under the Advantage Vidarbha – Khasdar Audyogik Mahotsav initiative. Advising the association to adopt a sector-wise approach going forward, Gadkari directed that 25 specific industrial sectors in Vidarbha should be identified and focused upon. He further stated that in the near future, 135 new e-buses equipped with flash-charging technology would enhance passenger convenience. He also mentioned that within the next three years, Nagpur city would be provided with gas supply through pipelines. Earlier, Union Minister of State for MSME, Shobha Karandlaje, lauded that under the guidance of Gadkari, Association Industrial Development has transformed the face of Vidarbha’s industrial ecosystem. She expressed satisfaction over the presence of 100 MSME stalls at the exhibition. Informing that over 33 crore entrepreneurs across the country have registered online on the MSME portal, she stated that MSMEs contribute 45 per cent to India’s exports.

 

She added that her Ministry is prioritising skill development to enable people to learn new technologies. Highlighting marketing as a major challenge, she stressed the need to improve branding and advised manufacturers to focus on producing export-quality goods. On the occasion, Minister of State Pankaj Bhoyar praised the Advantage Vidarbha team and commended their efforts in translating Nitin Gadkari’s vision into reality. Expressing gratitude towards the people of Vidarbha for making the event a big success, AID President Ashish Kale, in his introductory remarks, said that MoUs worth Rs 42,000 crore were signed over the three days. Dr Vijay Sharma, Secretary of AID, proposed the vote of thanks while Asavari Deshpande conducted the proceedings.