NMRDA nod to outer ring road transport hubs, trade centre

Nagpur: With a view to transform the city into a major logistics and economic hub, the Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority (NMRDA) has approved a series of large-scale infrastructure and financial decisions, including a proposed outer ring road, four transport hubs and an International Business and Financial Centre (IBFC).The decisions were cleared at the authority's 11th meeting chaired by CM Devendra Fadnavis, who granted approval for developing an outer ring road around the city along with four "truck and bus terminals" to streamline freight and passenger movement. The meeting also sanctioned the development of an IBFC in New Nagpur, positioning the region for global trade and investment flows.NMRDA officials said the metropolitan commissioner has been empowered to enter into agreements with Housing and Urban Development Corp (Hudco) and raise loans as required to fund these projects, reflecting an aggressive financing strategy to fast-track implementation.The meeting, held in Mumbai, was attended by deputy CM Eknath Shinde, minister of state Madhuri Misal, and senior bureaucrats including Aseem Gupta and OP Gupta, along with guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule via video conferencing.In addition to project approvals, the authority cleared its revised budget for 2025-26 and the proposed budget for 2026-27, alongside procedural reforms in decision-making through circulation methods. To support funding requirements for central and state-sponsored schemes, approvals were granted for raising resources under the Maharashtra Urban Infrastructure Fund, enabling access to loans for matching contributions. A key long-term decision focused on water security. The authority approved the inclusion of additional land acquisition — 10 metres wide and approximately 50km long — for laying a pipeline from the Gosikhurd irrigation project to Nagpur metropolitan region. This forms part of the proposed Wainganga-Nalganga river-linking initiative, aimed at meeting future water demands of the expanding urban cluster. Officials indicated that these measures are expected to accelerate infrastructure development, improve logistics efficiency and strengthen Nagpur's positioning in regional and national economic networks, aligning with broader urban expansion trends across India.BoxEASING LOGISTICS, TRAFFIC FLOW* International Business and Financial Centre planned in New Nagpur* Metropolitan commissioner empowered to secure funding via Hudco loans* Revised 2025–-26 and proposed 2026–-27 budgets approved* Funding support cleared under Maharashtra Urban Infrastructure Fund* 50km pipeline corridor planned from Gosikhurd project for future water needs* Linked to Wainganga-Nalganga river interlinking initiative* Administrative reforms approved for faster decision-making* Projects aim to boost Nagpur's infrastructure, economy and long-term urban growth