Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday, 1 May 2025 publicly thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his warm wishes on Maharashtra Day, saying the PM's continued support for the state is "truly invaluable and inspiring." Fadnavis responded via X (formerly Twitter) to a three-page letter Modi had written, congratulating the state on its Statehood Day and outlining a Viksit Maharashtra vision.

What Fadnavis Said

"Thank you Hon PM, Narendra Modi Ji. For every citizen of Maharashtra, today holds special significance, and your warm wishes have made the occasion even more special," Fadnavis wrote. He added that Modi's message "beautifully reflects Maharashtra's rich legacy, its social and cultural contributions, economic progress, and its role in India's growth, including the remarkable transformation of Gadchiroli."

Fadnavis further stated that Modi's words, guidance, and continued support are a source of inspiration, expressing confidence that such encouragement would continue in the future. He conveyed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the people of Maharashtra.

PM Modi's Letter: Key Highlights

Earlier on the occasion, Prime Minister Modi described Maharashtra as a "perennial source of inspiration" for Indian civilisation, noting that 2026 marks a period of significant cultural and historical convergence for the state. His letter balanced a celebration of Maharashtra's storied past with an ambitious roadmap for its future.

Modi cited a record ₹24,000 crore allocation for railway projects in 2025-26 as evidence of the Centre's unprecedented support. He highlighted three engines of growth: the expansion of the Mumbai Metro Aqua Line and the upcoming Navi Mumbai Airport; the development of Vadhavan Port and the emergence of the Bidkin Industrial Area in Sambhajinagar as a futuristic industrial hub; and the transformation of Gadchiroli, where the decline of Left-Wing Extremism has attracted investments worth thousands of crores.

Viksit Maharashtra Roadmap

The Prime Minister praised the state's Viksit Maharashtra roadmap, structured across three strategic phases: 2029, 2035 (the state's Amrit Mahotsav year), and 2047, aligned with the national Viksit Bharat goal. Modi commended Maharashtra's leadership in data centres, digital infrastructure, and what he termed the "Orange Economy" — encompassing the creative and film industries.

"Maharashtra's contribution to India's rise is unmatched. It remains the preferred destination for investors," Modi remarked in his letter.

Why It Matters

The exchange comes as Maharashtra — India's largest economy by state GDP — prepares for a significant infrastructure build-out, with the Navi Mumbai Airport and Vadhavan Port among the most consequential logistics projects in the country's pipeline. The political optics are equally significant: the ruling Mahayuti alliance, of which Fadnavis's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is a key pillar, benefits from projecting a close working relationship with the Centre ahead of upcoming civic polls. The Centre's ₹24,000 crore railway outlay for the state is notably the highest ever allocated in a single financial year, according to government data.

With the Gadchiroli transformation cited prominently by both leaders, the state's security and development narrative is increasingly being woven into the broader Viksit Bharat framework — a trend that is likely to intensify as the 2029 phase-one deadline approaches.