Curation Team
NAGPUR: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday unveiled plans for a state-of-the-art commercial hub in city, modelled on Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). It will be developed on 19 hectares of encroached land at Kachipura, owned by Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV). The site, long occupied by the Kachi community who subleased portions to eateries and informal businesses, will be transformed into a modern urban centre with inclusive rehabilitation.
Speaking at an informal Diwali gathering, Gadkari said, “All the encroachers known as ‘Kachis’ lost their cases in the courts. We will provide 800 families with alternative housing in the new buildings that will come up on the prime PDKV land. Those operating restaurants or other establishments on rent will be offered space at reasonable rates.” He added that the project would include high-tech facilities, such as swimming pools and sporting arenas.
The land, identified as Mauja Lendra covering survey numbers 104 to 209, stretches between Kachipura and Bajaj Nagar Square, extending to Dandige Layout. Over the years, informal slums, semi-permanent and permanent constructions, as well as commercial operations—including hotels, furniture shops, warehouses, garages, and iron sheds—developed on approximately six hectares without the university’s permission. Gadkari noted that consultations with existing occupants indicated consent for the redevelopment project.
In a review meeting on October 11, Gadkari directed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s town planning department to revise land use reservations to facilitate construction. Current land allocations for a police station, bus stand, playground, and other civic amenities will be restructured to accommodate the new township.
The Kachipura hub will be executed under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Sale (DBFOS) model, inviting private investment and ensuring long-term sustainability. Officials from the Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC) and NMC have begun preliminary land assessments and conceptual design planning. The project promises green recreational zones, modern infrastructure, and a blend of residential, commercial, and leisure facilities, positioning it as a landmark in West Nagpur.
Gadkari emphasized that the redevelopment balances urban growth with social responsibility. “This project strengthens Nagpur’s economic infrastructure while ensuring fair rehabilitation for affected families,” he said. The hub is expected to provide a major boost to the city’s commercial landscape and serve as a model for inclusive urban development.
As per the RTI information sought by activist Abhay Kolarkar, the land’s history dates back to British times when it was allocated to 12 families from Bihar for agriculture, with ownership records bearing their names. The university is fighting a bitter legal battle for the last three to four decades against 22 encroachments, which are in the names of 20 persons. Even a couple of religious structures have come up on its land. A majority of illegal structures were there even before PDKV’s establishment. The university started issuing legal notices to them and filing civil suits for eviction since 1976, the RTI reply stated.
