Nagpur: CM Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday informed the state assembly about the govt’s roadmap to turn Gadchiroli into a steel hub, detailing investment commitments, employment projections and environmental safeguards, while asserting that the development model places local tribal communities at its core.Referring to agreements signed so far, Fadnavis said 2,61,839 crore investments are expected to flow into Gadchiroli and the projects are likely to generate 70,895 jobs. Positioning the initiative as one that seeks balance rather than disruption, Fadnavis underlined that development would proceed alongside conservation. “We want to develop Gadchiroli by conserving its water, land and forests,” Fadnavis said.He pointed out that nearly 80% of Gadchiroli is forested and stated that no activity would be undertaken in designated forest areas. However, he acknowledged that land in non-forest zones may need to be cleared for industrial and mining projects. Stressing compensatory responsibility, Fadnavis said, “If trees have to be cut in non-forest areas, it is our responsibility to plant 1,000 to 2,000 times more trees. We undertook a drive to plant 5 crore trees.”On employment, Fadnavis maintained that local communities are already benefiting from the investments. “In the projects that began, 90% of those recruited are tribals, dalits and OBCs, and all of them are locals who were given training. Outsiders were not brought in,” Fadnavis said.To illustrate this, he cited the example of how income of locals increased after skill training. “I met a tribal girl who initially joined for housekeeping work at 14,000 per month. She then learned to drive a tractor and a van and her salary rose to 30,000. Today she drives a truck at the same site and earns 53,000,” CM said.He linked the economic transformation to changes in the district’s security landscape. “We were able to end Naxalism there because we created a sense among people that this development is for them,” Fadnavis said.Highlighting educational initiatives, Fadnavis said that Gondwana University started a joint course in mining with Curtin University of Australia, which he described as a leading institution in the field. “Forty of our tribal students went to Curtin University and are studying mining engineering,” Fadnavis said.Responding to criticism that industrialisation would erode tribal culture, Fadnavis rejected the charge. “Attempts are being made to mislead people by saying that tribal culture will be destroyed. That effort will not succeed. We will build Gadchiroli into a steel city by taking the common people and tribal communities along with us,” Fadnavis said.
