Maharashtra aims to turn Gadchiroli into India's biggest steel hub with Rs 1.60 lakh crore investment

Mumbai: In a resolve to make the once-Naxalite-affected Gadchiroli district as India's biggest steel hub, a whopping Rs 1.60 lakh crore investment has been planned which would create 50,000-plus jobs.

“To develop Gadchiroli district as a steel hub and boost employment, the government has allocated nine steel manufacturing projects to the region,” Governor CP Radhakrishnan said, coinciding with Maharashtra Day festivities, which coincides with the International Workers' Day event. 

“This initiative will attract an investment of Rs 1 lakh 60 thousand 238 crore and is expected to create job opportunities for 50,000 people,” the Governor said. 

Located in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, Gadchiroli is spread over 14,412 sq km. 

The district is divided into six sub-divisions - Gadchiroli, Chamorshi, Aheri, Etapalli, Desaiganj and Kurkheda and each sub-division has two talukas. 

There are three municipalities, nine Nagar Panchayats, 457 Gram Panchayats and 1688 Revenue villages in Gadchiroli. 

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is the state’s Home Minister and also the Guardian Minister of Gadchiroli, is personally overseeing the development. 

The Governor further said that under the leadership of  Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is aspiring to become a $5 trillion economy while Maharashtra is aiming to become a $1 trillion economy. 

“At the World Economic Forum in Davos, the state government signed 63 Memorandums of Understanding valued at Rs 15 lakh and 72 thousand 654 crore. These agreements are expected to create employment opportunities for 15 lakh 95 thousand 960 people across the state,” Radhakrishnan said.

“Since the formation of the new government in December 2024, 78 industrial units have been granted concessions. This will attract investments worth Rs 6 lakh 55 thousand 84 crore and generate an expected employment for 2 lakh 47 thousand 400 people,” he said.