MIDC ‘beyond real estate’, focused on industrial development: CEO Kushwah

Industrialists Announces Rs 8,000 Crore Investment Plan for Jalna

JALNA, September 4: Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) Chief Executive Officer Dipendra Singh Kushwah on Thursday said the corporation was “beyond real estate” and focused on developing infrastructure, providing services and creating a conducive environment for industrial growth.

Kushwah was speaking at the Industrial Summit 2026, organised by Jalna First and the district administration at Hotel Siddharth Fern in Jalna. Around 300 industrialists and entrepreneurs from across the country participated in the summit.

JNPT Authority Chairman Gaurav Dayal and Kushwah were the chief guests.

“We are beyond real estate,” Kushwah said, emphasising that MIDC’s role was not limited to selling industrial plots but extended to facilitating industrial development and strengthening coordination between the government and industry.

He said MIDC did not discriminate between small and large industries and was working to promote industrial development across sectors.

Kushwah said MIDC had 12 policies designed to support industries, but only a limited number of entrepreneurs were taking advantage of them. Greater utilisation of these schemes could provide a significant boost to industrial growth, he said.

He also said states were competing with one another to attract investments and Maharashtra was ahead in the race because of its infrastructure, facilities and favourable business environment.

Jalna dry port offers strategic advantage

JNPT Authority Chairman Gaurav Dayal said the dry port at Jalna had established a strategic link between the district and national and international trade networks.

The facility offered significant opportunities for industrialists and agro-based farmers in the region to expand their import and export activities, Dayal said.

Mahyco Chairman Rajendra Barwale praised Jalna First for organising the summit and highlighted the role of the seed industry in India’s agricultural development and food security.

India, which once depended on imports to meet its foodgrain requirements, had now become self-sufficient and had the capacity to export, Barwale said.

Divisional Commissioner G Krishnakant, District Collector Ashima Mittal, Managing Director L G Balkrishna, P Prabhakaran and industrialist Ram Bhogale also addressed the gathering.

Industrialists and entrepreneurs Tushar Kute, Yash Bhakkad, Jitendra Rathi, Dhanshree Mandhani and Manish Rathi were felicitated for their contribution to the industrial sector.

Jalna First president Govind Goyal, Rahul Agarwal, Nitin Kabra, Shubham Soni, Dhawal Mishrikotkar and Ayush Bansal worked for the success of the summit.

Lloyds Metals announces major investment plans

A key outcome of the summit was Lloyds Metals’ commitment to invest Rs 2,000 crore in the near term and Rs 6,000 crore in the long term, according to the organisers.

Several original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including Endurance Technologies and Bajaj, also expressed interest in developing local vendors in Jalna.

The initiative could create new opportunities for ancillary industries and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the district, organisers said.

Industry leaders discuss Jalna’s investment potential

The first panel discussion, titled “Jalna Investment Perspective”, featured Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd Executive Director Madhur Gupta, Divisional Commercial Manager (Railway) B Ritesh, Bhagyalakshmi Group Director Nitin Kabra, Laghu Udyog Bharati national vice-president Ravindra Wadia, All India Wine Producers Association president Jagdish Holkar, Endurance Technologies Ltd Chairman Sanjay Sanghvi and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd General Manager Sandeep Kohli.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor General Manager (External Relations) Ravi Sontakke, ONE ADC Industrial Park Developers Managing Director Amit Damodar Chugh, Vikas Coal and Minerals Pvt Ltd CEO Rajat Rao, Bajaj Auto Ltd Senior Manager Sudhir Kamath and Garware Polyester Ltd Senior General Manager (Commercial) Jaykumar Nair also participated in the discussion.

The summit brought together industry representatives, investors, government officials and entrepreneurs to discuss investment opportunities, infrastructure and the future industrial growth of Jalna.