What is Pragati Maidan
Pragati Maidan “Progress Grounds” , has been a great landmark. Many people have this question in their mind to know exactly why it is there, what purpose it serves etc. Essentially, it is meant for holding Exhibitions, Business Events and Conferences. There are many such venues are available in India but Pragati Maidan has its own history, charm and heritage. It is more than an exhibition venue. In this article, we will give detailed information about this iconic venue.
A View of Hall of Nations ( Source : Google )
It’s been almost 50 Year since the inauguration of the Pragati Maidan. The Iconic project was designed and developed by the Famous Architect Raj Rewal & structural engineer Mahendra Raj. It was inaugurated on 3rd November 1972 by then PM of India Smt. Indira Gandhi. It was meant to be for the celebration of India’s 25 Year of Independence.
Pragati Maidan was developed for First India International Trade Fair Called Asia 72. Hall of Nations and Hall of Industries & Nehru Pavilion were one of the first of large-span cast-in-situ-concrete space frames to be constructed in the world.
These were the Iconic and Famous Structure of Modern India and soon became the then latest Landmark in Delhi and also in India but Sadly these significant architectural marvels are not present with us anymore due to redevelopment of Pragati Maidan. It was first of its kind of structural development in the country after freedom which showed the potential of Modern India.
Source : ITPO
International exhibition cum convention centre ( IECC )
Due to redevelopment of Pragati Maidan, most part of the it has been demolished due to ITPO’s ( www.indiatradefair.com ) The Government body behind the management of Pragati Maidan, ambitious plan of turning Pragati Maidan into a world class International exhibition cum convention centre which will become a new landmark in the city.
IECC will not only have the state of the art exhibition facility but it will also have rooftop helipads. One large amphitheater with the facility of holding up to 3000 people at one time for rich & cultural evenings. One Convention Centre with seating capacity of 3000 packs. Integrated food courts also have been planned. Along with the New Exhibition Halls. An integrated tunnel road network is under progress once completed it will smooth the traffic condition around Pragati Maidan which a big concern as of now.
The new project will turn Pragati Maidan into a new and latest spot for holding exhibition and events in India. There will be all the modern facilities available, required for conducting any exhibitions, event, and conferences. For more details about it kindly click here.
Kindly click at given below links to see the Video of IECC : http://IECC Video
Pragati Maidan is surrounded by many famous landmarks around it. Opposite Gate no 1 there is Famous Purana Qila. National Science Centre is situated next to it. Supreme Court of India also situated near to it. India Gate is also not too far away from it.
How to reach Pragati Maidan
The Best way to reach Pragati Maidan is to take metro rail since it has its own metro station from the name of Pragati Maidan but recently its name has been changed to Supreme Court Metro Station.
If you are going with your own Vehicle then also you can reach their easily as ample parking space is available. One parking is there at the Metro station. Another Big parking is available opposite Gate No.1, also called Bhairon Mandir parking located at the Bhairon Mandir road. Both parking are paid.
From metro you will entre in Pragati Maidan via Gate No 10 and if you park your Car or two wheeler at Bhairon Mandir parking then you need to entre from Gate No. 1 which is just opposite to Parking.
Very soon once the IECC work will be completed then there will ample parking space will be there inside the Pragati Maidan.
Both major railway station New Delhi Railway station and Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station are within 6 Km of it. So if you are coming from outside of Delhi via railway then it will very easier to reach. Indira Gandhi International Airport is located at a distance of around 25 Km from Pragati Maidan.
Road connectivity is also very good. There are enough buses and other public transports medium are available. ISBT (Inter State Bus Terminal) is less than 13 km from Pragati Maidan.
There are two famous markets are close to it – Connaught place and Khan Market both are within 5 Km of distance.
India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO)
ITPO, the premier trade promotion agency of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India is committed to showcase excellence achieved by the country in diverse fields especially trade and commerce. It was established in the year 1951.
ITPO provides a wide spectrum of services to trade and industry and acts as a catalyst for growth of India’s trade. ITPO approves holding of international trade fairs in India and regulates holding of various expositions in India primarily to avoid any duplication of efforts while ensuring proper timing. It manages India’s world class exhibition complex Pragati Maidan, which is constantly upgraded to keep it in a high standard of readiness.
Spread over 123 acres of prime land in the heart of India’s capital, New Delhi, Pragati Maidan offers about 61,290 sq. mtrs. of covered exhibition space in 16 halls, besides 10,000 sq. mtrs. of open display area. ( which will change after the redevelopment of Pragati Maidan) The state-of-the-art exhibition halls have enhanced the appeal of Pragati Maidan as the ideal center for an increasing number of fair organizers and business visitors from different parts of the world.
Famous Exhibition & Events at Pragati Maidan
Due to its heritage, prime location and connectivity, Pragati Maidan has been home to many world classes famous Exhibition & Event. Some of them are:-
India International Trade Fair
India International Trade Fair famous as IITF or simply Trade Fair. It is a premier event organized by the India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO). The event is held between 14–27 November every year at Pragati Maidan New Delhi, India. It is one the biggest fair of India where people comes in lakhs.
IITF is a major tourist attraction and lakhs of people visit the fair every year. This annual event provides a common platform for the manufacturers, traders, exporters and importers. The fair displays comprises a wide range of products and services including automobiles, coir products, jute, textiles, garments, household appliances, kitchen appliances, processed food, beverages, confectionery, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, cosmetics, body care & health care products, telecommunication, power sector, electronic sector, furniture, home furnishings, sporting goods, toys, and engineering goods.
Auto Expo
Source – www.moneycontrol.com
First Auto Expo was imagined in the year 1985 and had its first presentation in 1986. The Auto Expo 1986 was a window for innovation moves indicating how the Indian Automotive Industry was engrossing new advancements and advancing indigenous innovative work for adjusting these advances for the tough Indian conditions. The Auto Expo 1986 was inaugurated by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The multi day show was composed from 3 to 11 January 1986 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
Now, Auto Expo has been divided into Two Parts, one is Auto Expo Component which is basically a B2B show where all the Manufacturer, Trader, Supplier and other industry related companies come and display their product. It takes places at Pragati Maidan. It is basically a Business related event. Another part which is more famous and a big crowd puller is Auto Expo Show which take places at India Expo Mart, Greator Noida, where you will get to see all the latest Car and upcoming Vehicles. All the major Car Company have their Booth and pavilion over here even lots of international brands are present. Every year many Actor and Celebrities come to launch new Cars and other product of Auto Industry.
New Delhi World Book Fair at Pragati Maidan
The New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF), held for the past 48 years, is a major calendar event in the publishing world. The Fair is organized by National Book Trust, India, an autonomous organization of the Government of India under the Ministry of Human Resource Development. India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), the nodal agency of the Government of India under the Ministry of Commerce, is the co-organizer of the Fair.
Today, Indian publishing stands poised at significant crossroads towards the path of growth. NDWBF offers the exhibitors a unique opportunity for business with this growing book industry. It is also an ideal venue for promoting titles, co-publication arrangements and trade. Besides the many literary and publishing conferences and programmers that are organized during the Fair, it also opens up a gateway to the publishing and intellectual world of South Asia. The Fair attracts participation from major publishing houses across the globe. In 2019, the Fair, spread over an area of 24,000 sq. mt., attracted nearly 800 Indian Exhibitors and more than 40 Foreign Exhibitors.
New Delhi World Book Fair ( NDWBF ) at Pragati Maidan, is great Fair for the Students, Children and parents to come and visit. It is not only knowledgeable for kids and student but no of other activities are there to see. Like every year there is different theme of fair is announced and accordingly a theme pavilion has been prepared.
Other famous exhibition B2B Exhibition are ACETECH, IFSEC, AAHAR, CONVERGENCE etc. To know the full exhibition and event list at Pragati Maidan. Kindly check the below given links –
Other Organizers Fairs at Pragati Maidan
List of Indian Exhibition in 2020
Conclusion
At the end Pragati Maidan, was and will be the most unique and in demand exhibition venue in India. After the development of IECC , completed it will become the one of best Exhibition and Convention center in the world. We hope that coming future of Pragati Maidan will enjoy its unique strength in India.