In a landmark moment for Vidarbha’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, Hon’ble Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, inaugurated the Indian Council for Technical Research and Development (ICTRD) Secretariat Building and Startup Incubation Centre at Adarsh Nagar Ground, Trimurti Nagar, Nagpur, on 5th July 2025. This pivotal step is set to accelerate regional development through grassroots innovation, skill enhancement, and research-driven entrepreneurship.
The inaugural ceremony began with a walkthrough of ICTRD’s state-of-the-art facility, followed by the traditional Deep Prajwalan and the digital launch of ICTRD’s technology platform.
Dr. Ketan Mohitkar: Driving Force Behind ICTRD’s Vision
The event was led and coordinated under the guidance of Dr. Ketan Mohitkar, Member Secretary of ICTRD, who warmly welcomed the gathering and expressed heartfelt gratitude to Hon’ble Gadkari for his continued support and vision for youth-led transformation.
With over 15 years of experience in technology, innovation, startup, education and public service, Dr. Ketan Mohitkar has been instrumental in conceptualizing and developing the ICTRD Secretariat and Incubation Centre, transforming it into a vibrant platform for nurturing startups, researchers, and skill-based development across Maharashtra.
Nitin Gadkari praised Dr. Ketan Mohitkar’s consistent dedication, referring to him as the driving force behind this visionary initiative. Under his leadership, ICTRD has emerged as a national platform focused on inclusive growth through technological research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and education.
Vision Backed by Leadership
In his keynote address, Nitin Gadkari emphasized the importance of transforming India’s youth from job seekers to job creators, highlighting the country’s impressive growth to over 1.8 lakh startups. He positioned ICTRD as a model institution for region-focused innovation and acknowledged the importance of collaboration between technology, research, and industry.
The Minister shared that the concept of such a centre had initially emerged from discussions with Nanda Jichkar, the former Mayor of Nagpur. Today, thanks to the collaborative efforts led by Dr. Ketan Mohitkar, that vision has been realized.
ICTRD: A Hub for Innovation
ICTRD has emerged as a powerful catalyst for grassroots innovation, skill-building, and entrepreneurship. The newly launched Startup Incubation Centre is not just a physical facility—it is a platform that nurtures ideas into impactful enterprises. ICTRD offers startups and researchers the infrastructure, mentorship, guidance, and support they need to scale, while also promoting skill-based education by offering various training and development programs. Nitin Gadkari praised ICTRD’s role in driving region-specific innovation, citing real-world success stories such as electric tractors, drone-assisted farming, and organic produce commercialization—all aligned with ICTRD’s mission to create a future-ready, self-reliant Vidarbha and India.
A Platform for Future-Ready Development
Gadkari elaborated on Vidarbha’s potential to become a ₹10,000 crore orange economy, referring to a Spanish-inspired farming model now being adopted by over 700 farmers and scientists. He emphasized that the ICTRD Centre will help replicate high-impact models in agriculture, energy, digital innovation, and animal husbandry.
“Technology, innovation, and knowledge are the future. ICTRD is building a complete ecosystem that blends research, education, and entrepreneurship.”
Hon’ble Union Minister Nitin Gadkari
Distinguished Dignitaries Present
The event was graced by several dignitaries who lent their support and appreciation for ICTRD’s mission. Esteemed guests included Ajay Sancheti (Former Rajya Sabha MP), Dr. Vikas Mahatme (Former MP), Sanjay Bhende (President, Nagpur Nagrik Sahakari Bank), Nanda Jichkar (Former Mayor), Lahu Kumar (Former Corporator), CA Milind Kanade, Dr. Yogesh Bonde, and Dr. Ashish Sasankar.
Rajesh Gadewar delivered the Vote of Thanks, commending the dedication of the ICTRD team and reaffirming support for region-centric development.
ICTRD – Driving Skill, Research & Growth in Vidarbha
Nitin Gadkari also mentioned upcoming transformative projects like Dhapewada Textiles, digital agri-models, and a proposed Global University of Logistics and Skill Development at Butibori—all of which align with ICTRD’s goals of empowering youth and addressing local development challenges.
He concluded with a strong endorsement of the ICTRD initiative, congratulating Dr. Ketan Mohitkar and the entire team, and reaffirmed his commitment to building a self-reliant, innovation-driven Vidarbha rooted in technology, sustainability, and progress.
Celebration with Dinner & Live Music
The inauguration ceremony concluded with a grand dinner for all attendees, featuring live musical performances that added joy and celebration to the landmark occasion. The evening allowed dignitaries, innovators, and local leaders to connect and celebrate the spirit of progress and collaboration.