Pawar highlighted Maharashtra’s strong position in attracting foreign investments, stating, “Maharashtra will be number one in fulfilling the Prime Minister’s dream of a developed India by 2047.” At Davos, the state signed MoUs worth ₹15.72 lakh crore with 56 companies, expected to generate 16 lakh jobs.
Mumbai’s third airport and port expansion
One of the most significant announcements in the Budget is the development of Mumbai’s third airport near the upcoming Vadhavan Port in Palghar district, where the state government holds a 26% stake. This new airport is expected to alleviate congestion at the already busy Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and the soon-to-be operational Navi Mumbai International Airport.
Strategically planned, the airport will be seamlessly integrated with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor and the Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway, enhancing regional connectivity and driving economic growth.
Other coastal initiatives include:
- A floating jetty at Kashid in Raigad district.
- A new policy for financial incentives to modernise boats for safer travel between Mumbai’s Gateway of India, Mandwa, and Elephanta.
- An externally aided project worth ₹8,400 crore for coastal district development.
- The Maharashtra Sustainable Eco-Friendly Coastal Conservation and Management project, with works worth ₹158 crore sanctioned in Sindhudurg under a ₹450 crore initiative.
Road network expansion
Maharashtra’s road infrastructure is set for a significant upgrade under the Amritkal State Road Development Plan 2025-2047. Major initiatives include:
- Asian Development Bank Project Phase-3: 755 km of roads completed at a cost of ₹6,589 crore.
- Revised Hybrid Annuity Scheme: ₹36,964 crore allocated for cement concreting of 6,000 km of roads.
- Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (Phase 3): 1,500 km of rural roads to be completed in 2025-26.
- Chief Minister’s Village Road Scheme-3: 14,000 km of cement concrete roads to connect 3,582 villages with a total investment of ₹30,100 crore.
Other key projects include:
- Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Highway: A 760 km stretch under development at ₹86,300 crore, with land acquisition in progress.
- Swatantryaveer Savarkar Versova-Bandra Sea Link: 14 km project costing ₹18,120 crore, expected to be completed by May 2028.
- Pune-Shirur Road: 564 km project worth ₹7,515 crore.
- Talegaon-Chakan Road: 25 km, including four elevated roads, with an estimated cost of ₹6,499 crore.
Metro expansion and airport development
Maharashtra is accelerating its metro projects to improve urban mobility:
- 143.57 km of metro lines will be operational in Mumbai, Nagpur, and Pune.
- Nagpur Metro Phase 2: 43.8 km project worth ₹6,708 crore is in progress.
- Metro line connecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to Navi Mumbai International Airport to be developed soon.
Airport infrastructure is also receiving a major boost:
- Navi Mumbai International Airport: 85% of work completed; domestic flights to commence by April 2025.
- Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport (Nagpur): Upgradation and modernisation planned.
- Shirdi Airport: ₹1,367 crore allocated; night landing facility to be introduced.
- Ratnagiri Airport: ₹147 crore allocated for ongoing development.
- New airport survey at Gadchiroli is underway, while expansion funds have been set aside for Akola Airport.
Sustainable transport initiatives
In a push towards greener public transport, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will convert 6,000 diesel buses to CNG and LNG buses, with government funding for new fleet purchases.
With these infrastructure investments, Maharashtra aims to cement its position as an economic powerhouse while enhancing connectivity and sustainability across the state.
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(Edited by : Asmita Pant)