Pragati Maidan trade centre to get makeover: Nirmala Sitharaman

NEW DELHI: The Centre is planning a makeover of the Pragati Maidan trade and exhibition centre, though the funding and the term of completion are yet to be fixed, Parliament was informed today.

"Yes. As per preliminary details of phase-I, it is proposed to develop 100,000 square metre of exhibition space and a 7,000 seater convention centre along with support facilities and parking space for 4,800 passenger cars.

"Other details such as funding and schedule of completion are yet to be firmed up," Commerce & Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.

She was asked whether the Indian Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) was proposing to renovate and upgrade its exhibition ground at Pragati Maidan with a view to bringing it at par with international levels.

In reply to a query on proposal to decongest the area, she said in the Phase-I of the development project, parking space for about 4,800 passenger cars is being proposed.

On being asked whether government proposes to set up new trade fair complexes elsewhere, the Minister said: " ITPO has trade complexes in Bengaluru and Chennai in collaboration with the state governments. At present, there is no proposal to have such complexes in other states/union territories."

Earlier in November, IPTO CMD L C Goyal had said that in the first phase, the non-air condition halls would be demolished and re-constructed, and then the remaining halls will be developed.

The world class infrastructure would also help in getting back the 'Auto Expo', which is currently shifted to Greater Noida, Goyal had said.