Is Maharashtra Emerging as a Major Hub for Foreign Investors?

Synopsis
Maharashtra is rapidly transforming into a preferred destination for foreign investments, as Chief Minister Fadnavis outlines ambitious plans for urban development, defence manufacturing, and technological innovations that promise to reshape the state's economic landscape.
Key Takeaways
- Maharashtra is emerging as a key hub for foreign investments.
- The state has significant advancements in defence manufacturing.
- Major urban developments are planned around the Vadhavan port.
- Investment in tier 2 and 3 cities is on the rise.
- The 'Make in India' initiative is yielding positive results.
Mumbai, June 4 (NationPress) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Wednesday that Maharashtra is increasingly becoming a significant center for both domestic and international investors, emphasizing that the state is actively gearing up for future industries and innovations.
Speaking at the '2025 India Conference: Accelerating Growth, Maharashtra @One Trillion' organized by Bank of America, he remarked, "Maharashtra has reaped substantial benefits from the 'Make in India' initiative. The recent success of Operation Sindoor has demonstrated the advanced capabilities of Indian defence manufacturing."
He pointed out that while defence industry clusters exist in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra is the true nucleus of defence manufacturing in India.
According to him, "Maharashtra has made remarkable progress in this sector, emerging as a hub for large-scale defence manufacturing. The state currently holds around 60% of the nation's data center capacity, and Mumbai has established itself as the leading fintech capital of the country. Additionally, Maharashtra has become a vital area for startups."
He noted that global investors are increasingly searching for secure alternatives that can significantly influence the global supply chain, positioning India favorably for this opportunity.
The Chief Minister revealed that Maharashtra has attracted investments exceeding Rs 16 lakh crore during the Davos Economic Summit, with more than half directed towards the manufacturing sector, highlighting the direct impact of the 'Make in India' initiative in the state.
Discussing future developments, he stated, "Given the limited expansion area along Mumbai's coast, the concept of 'Fourth Mumbai' around the upcoming Vadhavan port will be crucial. The largest port in India and a new airport will be constructed there, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approval already granted for the airport, and further surveys are ongoing."
He emphasized that plans to extend the Bullet Train and Coastal Road to Vadhavan will transform this area into a major urban center.
Furthermore, he highlighted that the 22 km Atal Setu has significantly improved connectivity between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, with the construction of a new international airport in this region nearing completion and set to commence operations in August.
CM Fadnavis elaborated on a vision to develop a new city that will be three times larger across this entire belt, featuring various themed cities, including an 'Edu-City' that will house ten international-class universities, providing top-notch education for numerous students. Other concepts such as 'Sports City', 'Medicine City', 'Knowledge City', and 'Innovation City' are also part of this plan, alongside a state-of-the-art cybersecurity center aimed at managing various cyber crimes.
He concluded by stating that beyond traditional industrial hubs like Mumbai, Thane, and Pune, the state government is accelerating industrial investments in tier 2 and 3 cities.
According to him, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has emerged as a hub for the EV (Electric Vehicle) industry, attracting significant investments, while Gadchiroli is being developed as the new steel city of the country with an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore. Cities like Nagpur, Nashik, and Dhule are also witnessing substantial investments in IT, manufacturing, and other sectors.