Nagpur: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday performed the bhoomi pooja for the ₹700-crore XSIO Advanced Industrial & Manufacturing Park at Linga along the Nagpur–Amravati road.Calling the project a catalyst for economic growth, Fadnavis said artificial intelligence-driven technologies are transforming industrial operations worldwide. “Advanced manufacturing is the mantra for today’s generation, where precision, innovation, and automation are taking production to a new level. We want Nagpur to emerge as a hub for next-generation logistics and an industrial magnet. This project will be a pioneering step in that direction,” Fadnavis said.As part of the first phase, the groundbreaking ceremony was held for three industrial units — Neev, Sankalpa, and Udaan. The project is being developed by XSIO Industrial & Logistics Parks with backing from global investment firm Blackstone. It forms part of the company’s proposed ₹8,142-crore investment programme across Maharashtra.The Linga facility is XSIO’s second project in Nagpur after its logistics park along the Mumbai–Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg. The campus is planned as an intelligence-integrated industrial park equipped with AI-driven building management systems, digital twin technology, and utility networks to support next-generation manufacturing.“India is now the world’s fourth-largest economy and is moving towards becoming the third-largest. The manufacturing sector will play a crucial role in that journey,” the CM said.Fadnavis credited Ashish Agrawal, managing director of XSIO Industrial & Logistics Parks, and Blackstone for driving the project. “Despite several opportunities elsewhere, he (Ashish) chose to expand here. Earlier, a logistics park came up, and now a next-generation industrial park is taking shape,” Fadnavis said, adding, “When Ashish came to me with plans to expand, I told him he could set up a unit anywhere, but should not forget that Nagpur is his karmabhoomi.“Agrawal said the project marks a significant milestone in Maharashtra’s industrial development. “By integrating advanced digital technologies with institutional-grade infrastructure, we are creating a manufacturing ecosystem that enhances productivity, sustainability, and long-term competitiveness,” he said. He added that the company has lined up two additional projects in Nagpur, including developments at Wardhaman Nagar and Butibori.Alok Jain, Blackstone India MD, said the global economy is undergoing a structural shift. “Earlier, growth was driven largely by agriculture and oil. Today, manufacturing, supply chain networks, and AI are shaping the new industrial economy,” he said.“Industrial parks create a multiplier effect by generating large-scale employment and ensuring that tax revenues and economic value remain within the country,” Jain added, noting that the company aims to develop industrial infrastructure in India comparable to leading global manufacturing hubs.Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, minister of state Ashish Jaiswal, MLAs Ashish Deshmukh and Charansingh Thakur, Sanjay Meena, chairman of Nagpur Improvement Trust, and collector Vipin Itankar were among those present at the launch event held near Linga village.
