Nagpur must emerge as India’s next IT and AI hub, says Bidari

Nagpur: Positioning Nagpur as a key node in India's expanding digital economy, divisional commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari has called for a coordinated push to develop the city as a major centre for information technology, IT-enabled services, artificial intelligence, cyber security and data analytics, underlining the need for stronger infrastructure, connectivity and skilled manpower.The meeting, organised with support from the Maharashtra World Bank project, brought together industry leaders, academic institutions and senior govt officials to chart a roadmap for the city's transformation.Addressing a high-level consultation convened under MahaStride initiative on Monday, Bidari said, "The city already has the foundation to attract investment but requires a focused effort to build enabling ecosystems. There is a big availability of skilled manpower due to engineering colleges and IT institutions in and around Mihan."A critical gap, she noted, is connectivity. "If IT industries were to come to Nagpur, improving communication facilities and air connectivity is essential. Nagpur must be better connected with major IT hubs such as Hyderabad, Pune and Chennai," she said, adding that limited air connectivity currently poses challenges for investors and entrepreneurs."Nagpur must also develop as a lifestyle city," Bidari said, pointing to the need for better urban amenities, including malls, theatres, hotels, clubhouses and efficient transport systems. She added that coordinated efforts by various govt agencies would be essential to achieve this transformation.Box Clearances in 45 Days: Bidari Seeking to fast-track industrial investment in Vidarbha's key growth engine, Bidari directed that all approvals required for setting up units in Mihan be granted within 45 days, sharply reducing the current timeline of several months. The directive came after local entrepreneurs flagged that it currently takes seven to eight months for companies to secure multiple clearances before starting operations in Mihan."No company should have to wait seven to eight months for permissions. If documents are in order, the entire approval process must run simultaneously and be completed within 45 days," she said, instructing officials to move away from sequential clearances to a parallel processing system.
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