Vidarbha is on the cusp of becoming a global hub for clean energy and logistics, according to Jeet Adani, Director of Adani Airports and head of Adani Digital Labs. Speaking at the Advantage Vidarbha 2026 summit, Adani outlined a vision for the region driven by large-scale infrastructure projects and a strategic focus on these key sectors.
Adani announced a significant investment of ₹70,000 crore for an Integrated Coal Gasification and Downstream Derivatives Complex at Linga in Kalmeshwar. This project is expected to generate approximately 30,000 direct jobs and position Nagpur as a central hub for clean energy technologies and advanced manufacturing. The complex aims to bolster India's energy independence by developing domestic chemical capabilities linked to cleaner industrial processes. Adani described the project as a platform for national self-reliance, creating future-ready infrastructure for the region.
The Adani Group is expanding its footprint in Vidarbha, including operations at Tiroda, home to Maharashtra's largest 3,300 MW supercritical thermal power plant. The group also revived the 600 MW Butibori power plant in 2025. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to provide 6,600 MW of dependable electricity to Maharashtra, combining solar generation from Khavda with thermal baseload support. This energy backbone is critical for supporting Maharashtra's industrial growth, urbanization, and digital economy.
Adani also highlighted the importance of responsible mining and logistics development in the region. The underground mine at Gondkhairi operates with minimal land use, no displacement, and incorporates sustainability measures such as rainwater harvesting and zero-effluent discharge. The project also includes a large-scale plantation initiative. On the logistics front, the group has a 75-acre Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Borkhedi and has acquired 24 border check posts across Maharashtra, which are intended to reduce freight costs and boost exports. The acquisition of Indamer Technics Pvt. Ltd. has expanded a 30-acre MRO complex at MIHAN, positioning Nagpur as an emerging international hub for aircraft maintenance.
Jeet Adani emphasized Vidarbha's cultural legacy and its potential to transform its rich heritage into renewed economic and cultural power. He credited national and state leadership for accelerating development in the region and expressed confidence in Vidarbha's trajectory, viewing it as a region that will help define India's growth story for decades to come. He concluded with a message of partnership and shared ambition.
The Advantage Vidarbha 2026 summit, organized by the Association for Industrial Development (AID), was inaugurated on February 6, 2026, at Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University Campus. The event included technical sessions covering various sectors, including defense, food processing, logistics, and tourism.
Other developments in the region include the Wainganga-Nalganga river-linking project, which aims to irrigate 4,04,281 hectares across eight Vidarbha districts. Adani Energy Solutions Ltd. (AESL) has also achieved a milestone by delivering 1 crore electricity smart meters across discoms, supporting India's smart metering rollout under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).