Gwalior, Dec 26: Union Home and Cooperative Minister Shri Amit Shah on Thursday said Madhya Pradesh has emerged as the fastest-growing state in the country, overcoming global economic uncertainties and resource constraints through innovation, entrepreneurship and a progressive development vision.
Addressing the ‘Abhyudaya Madhya Pradesh Growth Summit’ at Gwalior’s Mela Maidan on the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Shah said the state is now among the leaders in agriculture, industry, energy, infrastructure, tourism, healthcare, mining, pharmaceuticals and renewable energy.
Shah asserted that India is poised to become the world’s third-largest economy in the coming years, with Madhya Pradesh expected to make a major contribution. He said the state’s investor-friendly policies, administrative efficiency and strong political will have helped it attract the highest level of investments this year, placing it among the top states nationally.
During the event, the Union Home Minister performed a collective bhoomi-pujan for industrial and manufacturing units worth over ₹2 lakh crore across the state. From the dais, he also inaugurated industrial development and road projects worth ₹5,810 crore and disbursed ₹725 crore as investment incentives to 860 large industrial units through a single-click delivery system.
Shah launched the e-Zero FIR system for cybercrime-related complaints, making Madhya Pradesh the second state after New Delhi to implement the initiative. He also released a coffee table book and an investment booklet showcasing the state’s industrial progress over the past two years.
Letters of Intent and land allotment letters were handed over to select investors, including representatives of McCain Group, LNJ Bhilwara Group, Green Vent Pvt Ltd and Nature’s Bio Foods. In Gwalior district alone, 57 development works worth ₹153.04 crore were inaugurated, while bhoomi-pujan was performed for 13 projects costing ₹23.79 crore.
Reviewing an exhibition on Vision 2047 and industrial development, Shah and other dignitaries honoured leading industrialists for generating large-scale employment in the state. A short film highlighting government initiatives for industrial growth and the e-Zero FIR system was also screened.
Shah said the collective bhoomi-pujan of projects worth over ₹2 lakh crore reflects the state government’s rapid push towards industrialisation. “Enterprise leads to industries, industries create jobs, and employment strengthens the national economy. Every step taken by the Madhya Pradesh government is reinforcing both the state and the country’s economic foundations,” he said.
Paying tribute to late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Shah said organising the summit on his birth anniversary was a fitting homage to his vision. He recalled Atal ji’s contributions, including infrastructure expansion, the creation of the Tribal Affairs Ministry, India’s emergence as a nuclear power and his statesmanship during the Kargil conflict. Shah also paid homage to Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya on his birth anniversary and C. Rajagopalachari on his death anniversary.
Congratulating Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had pioneered the culture of industrial summits through the Vibrant Gujarat initiative, and Madhya Pradesh has taken this forward through region-specific industrial conclaves to ensure balanced development. He said projects such as the PM Mitra Park in Dhar and the upcoming multi-modal logistics park in Indore would further boost investment and farmer incomes.
Shah noted that Madhya Pradesh has shed its earlier “BIMARU” tag, with improvements in irrigation, road infrastructure, power availability, cleanliness and urban transport. He said the state has won the Krishi Karman Award seven times, registered a record 4.57 lakh new MSMEs in a year and is emerging as a hub for cottage and small-scale industries, with nearly half of new enterprises being run by women.
Calling on investors to invest “fearlessly”, Shah said Madhya Pradesh has the potential to multiply investments manifold due to its fertile land, strategic location and proactive governance.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said Madhya Pradesh is building a new model of investment, employment and inclusive growth under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the summit would accelerate industrial expansion and generate large-scale employment for youth.
Describing Madhya Pradesh as “India’s Centre of Development and Opportunities”, Dr. Yadav highlighted the state’s 18 industry-specific policies, vast land bank, skilled workforce, robust logistics and transparent administration. He invited investors to explore opportunities in renewable energy, automobiles, textiles, food processing, pharmaceuticals, IT and petrochemicals.
Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia said the summit marked the beginning of a new era for Madhya Pradesh, with Gwalior once again playing a pivotal role in the state’s growth story. He said the event embodied Atal ji’s ideals of good governance, national unity and development.
Assembly Speaker Shri Narendra Singh Tomar said the summit was a meaningful tribute to late Atal Bihari Vajpayee and would significantly boost regional development. He also noted that the inauguration of the Atal Museum would preserve Atal ji’s legacy for future generations.
Principal Secretary, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion Department, Shri Raghavendra Singh, said the summit marked a historic milestone, with 1,118 industrial projects worth over ₹2.17 lakh crore being grounded, expected to generate nearly 1.94 lakh jobs.
Several Union and state ministers, MPs, senior officials and leading industrialists attended the summit.
A large artistic portrait of late Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the main stage drew widespread admiration, while Chief Minister Dr. Yadav presented Union Home Minister Shah with a unique eco-friendly statue of Atal ji made from crop stubble, symbolising innovation and sustainability.
