Synopsis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss important issues such as Gadchiroli Mining Hub, Nagpur Airport, and finance for local bodies. The meeting also touched on the establishment of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology in Mumbai.Key Takeaways
- Discussion on Gadchiroli Mining Hub development.
- Assistance sought for Nagpur Airport project.
- IICT to be established with Rs 400 crore funding.
- WAVES 2025 summit scheduled for May 2025.
- Mumbai positioned as a global creative technology hub.
New Delhi, March 13 (NationPress) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday to deliberate on several crucial matters, including the Gadchiroli Mining Hub, Nagpur Airport, and the distribution of Finance Commission funds for local bodies.
With the Maharashtra government taking significant steps in the steel sector in Gadchiroli, which is emerging as the “Steel City” of India, the Chief Minister requested assistance from the Central government to further develop Gadchiroli as a mining hub.
He also addressed important issues regarding Nagpur Airport, seeking the Centre’s support to resolve outstanding matters to ensure the project's seamless progression. The allocation of funds to local self-governing bodies under the 15th Finance Commission was another prominent topic of discussion.
During their meeting, the Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to PM Modi for allowing Maharashtra to host the World Audio, Visual, and Entertainment Summit, which is set to take place in Mumbai from May 1 to May 4.
On this occasion, an Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) will be established in Mumbai, akin to IIT, with a financial backing of Rs 400 crore from the central government.
Moreover, the Chief Minister attended the inaugural session of the World Audio-Visual & Entertainment Summit – WAVES 2025, designed to elevate India's media and entertainment industry to global standards.
CM Fadnavis announced that the IICT will be situated in Mumbai’s Film City, Goregaon, establishing the city as an international creative nucleus. The Central Government has committed Rs 400 crore for this initiative.
This endeavor will not only benefit Maharashtra but will also serve as a landmark for India’s creative technology sector. IICT will function as a leading center for innovation in the creative technology space, bringing India onto the global stage.
He further noted that like IIT Bombay, this institution will emerge as a top center for creative technology education and research in India. The Maharashtra government has set aside land in Goregaon Film City for this project.
“Mumbai is already the heart of Bollywood and the entertainment industry. However, this new institute will provide India’s creative sector with a world-class platform. Just as Davos is pivotal for the finance sector, this institute will forge a global brand for the creative technology industry,” emphasized the Chief Minister.
According to him, WAVES 2025 will be a major venue for professionals in broadcasting, film, animation, gaming, digital media, music, advertising, and social media.
As per the government release, Maharashtra has significantly contributed to India’s creative economy, impacting film, television, digital content, animation, and gaming.
Mumbai is home to prestigious institutions like Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari (Film City), Filmistan Studios, Mehboob Studios, and the Film & Television Institute of India (FTII).
With participation from over 100 countries anticipated, WAVES 2025 will present a unique opportunity for both Indian and international media professionals to collaborate, discuss emerging technologies, policies, and investment prospects.
As India’s financial and entertainment capital, Mumbai is the ideal venue for WAVES 2025.
Scheduled from May 1 to May 4, 2025, the conference aims to enhance growth in media, technology, and cultural sectors, providing a platform for global industry leaders to shape the future of entertainment. The global media and entertainment industry is on a rapid growth trajectory, with a market value projected to reach $2.96 trillion by 2024. India’s industry is expected to expand to $50 billion by 2029, featuring over 60 OTT platforms going global, as stated in the government release.
CM Fadnavis highlighted that India is becoming a crucial global player in digital media and entertainment, and initiatives like IICT and WAVES 2025 will expedite this growth.
