Nagpur has adequate reasons to grow at a faster pace than the past. The slowing down in the decadal population growth can be taken as a proxy for decreasing levels of economic activity in the region. It has been on several occasions stated by various stakeholders that, unlike Pune, Nagpur has not been able to retain the huge graduating pool of engineers and doctors.

This has mainly been attributed to the lack of adequate employment opportunities in the city. What has probably held back economic growth in the past is the lack of priority given to Nagpur (and Vidarbha in general) by successive state governments. It has been welldocumented by the Dandekar Committee (1984) that at 1982-83 prices, the total developmental backlog in Maharashtra state excluding Mumbai was Rs.3177 crores. Out of which, Vidarbha’s share was Rs.1247 crores, about 40% of the state backlog (excluding Mumbai). The developmental backlog for Marathwada and Western Maharashtra was relatively lower at Rs.751 crores and Rs.884 crores. The backlog over the years has increased further while that for the rest of Maharashtra has declined. As of April 2000, the developmental backlog has increased to Rs.9830 crores.