A sweeping master plan for the Pune Economic Region was formally presented to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday, 28 September, charting a course to scale the city's economy from $68 billion in FY 2025–26 to $200–220 billion by FY 2035–36. Formulated under NITI Aayog's Growth Hub initiative in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra and the Pune International Centre (PIC), the blueprint outlines 58 priority projects, an estimated investment of ₹9–10 lakh crore, and the creation of 15–20 lakh additional jobs.

Scale and Ambition

Pune currently contributes 11–12 per cent of Maharashtra's overall income and grows at a real rate of 6–6.5 per cent annually. The Growth Hub strategy seeks to accelerate that pace to 10 per cent per year, aligning with the state's broader goal of building a $5 trillion economy by 2047. The region is home to approximately 15 million residents and currently supports 56 lakh jobs, with projections pointing to 74–76 lakh jobs over the next decade.

Six Core Sectors and High-Tech Jobs

The framework designates six priority sectors: manufacturing, electric vehicles (EV), engineering goods, defence, robotics and drones, electronics and semiconductors, and biotechnology. Key infrastructure proposals include EV and mobility hubs, high-tech engineering parks, defence technology centres, and AI and Global Capability Centres (GCCs) — collectively expected to generate 4–5 lakh high-tech jobs. The plan also targets expanding Pune's startup ecosystem beyond 10,000 firms and upskilling 1.5–2 lakh professionals in AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.

Transit, Housing, and Liveability

Public transit usage is targeted to rise sharply from 13 per cent to 50 per cent of daily trips. Plans include extending the Pune Metro network to 250 km, inducting 12,000–14,000 buses, developing six multimodal transport hubs, 11 rail projects, and 13 major road expansions. On housing, the plan proposes relocating and rehabilitating 90 per cent of eligible slum dwellers by 2036 and constructing 4–5 lakh affordable homes, including 1 lakh hostel units for industrial workers.

Tourism and Environment

Tourism development will be organised around six thematic circuits, including the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Fort Circuit covering Shivneri, Lohagad, Rajgad, and Sinhagad; water tourism at Pawna and Bhatghar; the Junnar Leopard Safari; a 600 km Sahyadri trekking trail; and health, wellness, and entertainment corridors. Environmental preservation is listed as a core pillar alongside sustainable, inclusive growth.

Governance and Execution

Three bodies will oversee implementation: a Governing Council chaired by the Chief Minister, a State Steering Committee chaired by the Chief Secretary, and a Pune Growth Hub Steering Committee supported by PMRDA's Project Management Cell. The planning process formally commenced on 1 August 2025 and covers jurisdictions under PMC, PCMC, and PMRDA. Policy updates are also planned for semiconductors, industrial housing, MSME development, and tourism. The plan's realisation will depend heavily on inter-agency coordination and the pace of private investment mobilisation over the coming decade.