The Maharashtra Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Thursday, 25 June approved two significant transport projects — a 3.55-km road connector in Mumbai and a 1.40-km elevated metro extension in Nagpur — with a combined outlay of over ₹2,032 crore. The approvals are aimed at easing urban congestion and strengthening public transit across Maharashtra's two largest cities.

Mumbai Sea Link Connector: Key Details

The committee greenlit the construction of a 3.55-km connector linking the Swatantryaveer Savarkar Sea Link to Bandra Fort, at an estimated cost of ₹1,722.40 crore. The project will be executed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). Once operational, the connector is expected to slash travel time along this stretch from the current 20–45 minutes to approximately 10 minutes, offering faster and more reliable access for daily commuters.

Nagpur Metro Phase-2 Extension Approved

The second project covers a 1.40-km elevated metro rail extension from Kanhan River to Kanhan City under Nagpur Metro Rail Phase-2, to be implemented by Maha-Metro at a cost of ₹310.35 crore. The extension will feature one elevated station and has already received approval from the Central government. The project is designed to expand Nagpur's public transport footprint into newer residential and commercial zones.

Chief Minister Fadnavis, in a post on X, said: 'These projects reflect the Maharashtra government's commitment to building world-class infrastructure and creating faster, safer and more efficient transport networks for its people.' Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetratai Pawar, along with Minister Shivendrasinh Raje Bhonsle and senior officials, were present at the meeting.

Chandrapur Airport Runway Expansion in Focus

In a separate development on the same day, Information Technology Minister Ashish Shelar told the state Assembly that the government was prepared to approve a revised proposal to extend the runway at Morwa Airport in Chandrapur from 950 metres to 1,800 metres, subject to a commercially viable plan and the necessary technical clearances. The minister was responding to a half-hour discussion initiated by MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar.

Minister Shelar noted that the existing 950-metre runway was inadequate for commercial flight operations and lacked night-landing facilities. Earlier expansion attempts had stalled due to the proximity of a local thermal power plant, natural topographical constraints, and stringent technical requirements. He clarified that if a fresh design aligned with Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) guidelines — covering orientation, width, length, and geographical conditions — the state would extend full cooperation.

Broader Regional Connectivity Push

Minister Shelar also highlighted that airport and runway development works were underway across several cities under the Central government's UDAN scheme, including Amravati, Gondia, Nashik, Jalgaon, Nanded, Solapur, Kolhapur, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. A development proposal for Akola Airport has already been forwarded to the Centre.

The minister underscored Chandrapur's strategic potential, noting that a functional commercial airport would boost wildlife tourism at the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, benefiting domestic and international tourists, researchers, and the local economy. A joint high-level meeting involving the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC), district administration, Finance Department, and local representatives is to be convened immediately after the current Assembly session.

With multiple infrastructure clearances in a single session, the Fadnavis government appears to be accelerating project approvals ahead of the next budget cycle — and the momentum of these decisions will be closely watched for execution timelines.