Pragati Maidan (Hindi: प्रगति मैदान, literally "progress grounds") is a venue for large exhibitions and conventions in New Delhi, and with 72,000 sq. metres of exhibition space, it is presently Delhi's largest exhibition centre.[1] It is owned and managed by Indian Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), the premier trade promotion agency of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India.
Built in 1982,[1] over 150 acres (0.61 km2) overlooking the historic Purana Qila, which stands opposite Gate no 1, Pragati Maidan is flanked by Mathura Road and Bhairon Road on either sides. Pragati Maidan offers about 61,290 sq. metres of covered exhibition space in 16 halls, besides 10,000 sq. metres of open display area.[2] The complex houses 18 exhibition halls,[3] several buildings, eateries, performance spaces and compounds, including headquarters of the Indian Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), and hosts over 70 national and international exhibitions annually, with the largest being the India International Trade Fair which attracts over 10,000 exhibitors and over 30,00,000 visitors.[4][5] This complex houses five permanent exhibitions which include the Nehru Pavalion, Atomic Energy and Defense Pavilion. Some of the events held in Pragati Maidan are the India International Trade Fair, World Book Fair and the Auto Expo.[6]
In 2006, ahead of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, a Rs 1,260-crore redevelopment plan was initiated by the government.[4][7]
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Pragati Maidan literally meaning Progress Field or Field of Progress, was founded in 1982, on the eve of the India International Trade Fair. It is a huge complex of buildings spread across acres of land sprinkled with many lawns. The complex houses many pavilions like the Nehru Pavilion, the Defense Pavilion, the Indira Pavilion, and the Son of India Pavilion. It has various building which are build in various shapes and sizes. It also has an auditorium where Rock shows and plays are held quite frequently. There is also an internal shuttle service for those who do not wish to walk. Pragati Maidan houses a movie theatre called Shakuntalam, it's quite popular among college kids for its comparatively cheap tickets.
The two-week long India International Trade Fair (IITF) begins here each year on November 14. In 1999, during the fair, two new air-conditioned halls 12 and 13 on an area of 9,000 sq. mtr were opened to public, when some 5,200 enterprises, over 70 companies from 14 countries set up shop.[9] The 2003 IITF saw 25 lakh visitors to Pragati Maidan.[10] Today, Northern Railways runs special trains to Pragati Maidan during the annual fair,[11] as does the Delhi Metro, which handled an average daily ridership of 50,000 commuters during the 2008 fair.[12]
At a corner of Pragati Maidan, on Bhairon road, lies the National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum and further down stands the National Science Centre. The Pragati Maidan Delhi Metro station which is the largest station on the section built over an area of 6,800 square metres, opened in November 2006, during the ongoing India International Trade Fair, and on the eight day, over 2 lakh passenger used the facility.[13][14]
Each year, the Income Tax Department opens over 150 counters for filing Income Tax returns.[15][16] It also hosted Wills Lifestyle Indian Fashion Week (WIFW) of the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), in 2008 and 2009.,[17] apart from exhibitions of almost all major industries, from toys, leather, lifestyle products and services, exports to medical equipment and sports equipments, and even a job fair.[18]