Nagpur: In a major boost to industrial development in Vidarbha, the Maharashtra Government has issued an official notification declaring a large land parcel in Saoner taluka of Nagpur district as an industrial area for the proposed Defence Nuclear Aerospace (DNA) Corridor project.
The notification was issued by the Industries, Energy, Labour and Mining Department of the Maharashtra Government under Section 2(c) of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Act, 1961. The decision, dated June 12, 2026, marks a significant step toward establishing the ambitious Defence Nuclear Aerospace (DNA) Corridor in Saoner and is being seen as a landmark development in Vidarbha’s industrial growth.
Over 2,729 Hectares Declared Industrial Area for DNA Corridor
As per the government notification, a total of 2,729.8279 hectares spread across several villages in Saoner taluka has been officially declared an industrial area for the proposed corridor.
The notified villages and land areas include:
- Khursapar – 124.191 hectares
- Joga – 563.47 hectares
- Jaitpur – 332.6439 hectares
- Chhatrapur – 38.56 hectares
- Malegaon (Jo.) – 592.75 hectares
- Nandagomukh – 353.68 hectares
- Salai – 174.05 hectares
- Savli (Mo.) – 258.72 hectares
- Jatamkhora – 291.76 hectares
The notified area has been earmarked through defined boundaries for development under the Defence Nuclear Aerospace Corridor project.
Major Push for Aerospace, Defence and Advanced Manufacturing
The notification is expected to encourage investments in several strategic sectors, including:
- Aerospace manufacturing such as aircraft, drones and satellite components
- Defence production including weapons, missiles and ammunition
- Nuclear-related technologies
- Robotics and advanced engineering industries
The project is expected to transform Saoner into a significant industrial hub in the coming years, creating thousands of employment opportunities and attracting large-scale industrial investment.
The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of strengthening “Make in India” and promoting self-reliance in India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem through defence corridors across the country.
MLA Dr Ashishrao Deshmukh’s Persistent Follow-Up Credited
According to the statement, the progress of the project follows sustained efforts by Saoner MLA Dr Ashishrao Deshmukh, who had consistently pursued the proposal with both state and central authorities.
Dr Deshmukh had written to Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on August 22, 2025, requesting the establishment of the Defence Nuclear Aerospace (DNA) Corridor in Saoner. In his communication, he highlighted Saoner’s strategic geographical location, availability of land, Nagpur’s industrial and defence ecosystem, and the project’s employment-generation potential.
He subsequently continued discussions and follow-up with the Maharashtra Government, Industries Department, MIDC and the Central Government, while facilitating land identification and pushing the proposal forward at multiple levels.
A major breakthrough came on April 8, 2026, when the 186th meeting of the State Government’s High-Powered Committee chaired by the Principal Secretary (Industries) approved land acquisition for more than 2,721.9491 hectares (6,725.98 acres) in the proposed Saoner industrial area.
Following continued efforts, the Maharashtra Government has now officially notified the land for the DNA Corridor project.
Saoner Set to Emerge as National-Level Defence and Aerospace Hub
With the industrial notification now issued, the implementation process for the proposed project is expected to gain momentum.
The development is likely to position Saoner as an important destination for national and international investments in defence, nuclear and aerospace sectors, further strengthening Nagpur and Vidarbha’s industrial ecosystem.
Reacting to the development, MLA Dr Ashishrao Deshmukh expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Industries Department and the Maharashtra Government for issuing the notification.
Commenting on the decision, Dr Deshmukh said:
“For the past several months, continuous efforts were underway to turn the vision of establishing the Defence Nuclear Aerospace (DNA) Corridor in Saoner into reality. This notification is a major success of those efforts and will provide unprecedented momentum to the industrial development of Saoner, Nagpur and the entire Vidarbha region. This is a historic and milestone decision in the direction of developing Saoner as a national-level Defence Nuclear Aerospace hub.”
