Nagpur: The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation initiated action to reclaim 301 industrial plots from across the Nagpur division after several allottees failed to start units for years despite obtaining land in designated industrial zones. The action covered four districts in Vidarbha region — Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia and Wardha — where multiple industrial plots remained unused long after allocation.Officials said the move aimed to free nearly 411 acre industrial land and redistribute it to new entrepreneurs willing to establish functioning industries.According to MIDC data, the Nagpur division allotted a total of 6,429 plots in various industrial estates, but several allottees neither started production nor completed construction within the stipulated period.MIDC rules prohibited allottees from selling or leasing plots without permission, yet authorities found instances where land was effectively blocked for years without industrial activity. In some cases, entrepreneurs were found to acquire multiple plots merely as investment assets instead of establishing manufacturing units.The issue earlier drew attention after media reports highlighted the problem of unused industrial land in the region. The matter subsequently came under judicial scrutiny when the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court took suo motu cognisance and registered a public interest litigation.MIDC officials said the corporation now issued notices to all irregular plot holders across 34 industrial estates in the division. After the notice period expired without compliance, the administration began the process of physically reclaiming land. Regional officer Manohar Pote said the crackdown was already underway in key industrial zones. “Notices were issued to all such plot holders. Since several of them did not respond or surrender the land within the stipulated period, the process of taking back possession has now begun,” he said.Among the estates where action started were the major industrial hubs of Butibori Industrial Area and Hingna Industrial Area. Officials confirmed that five plots in Butibori and 13 in Hingna were among those currently under recovery proceedings.The decision marked one of the largest recent attempts by MIDC in Vidarbha to curb speculative land holding and revive stalled industrial infrastructure.
