Is the Maharashtra Cabinet Ready to Transform the Virar-Alibag Corridor?

Mumbai, June 17 (NationPress) The Maharashtra Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has recently granted approval for the groundbreaking Virar-Alibagh Multi Modal Corridor (VAMMC) Project to be developed on a "Build, Operate and Transfer" (BOT) basis.

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has projected a total expenditure of Rs 26,300 crore for this venture, which was initially proposed under an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) framework.

During the tenure of the Eknath ShindeVirar–Alibaug Multi-Modal Corridor project. However, these contracts have now been nullified, and new tenders will be issued to construct the entire project based on the BOT model as per the Cabinet’s recent resolution.

This Virar–Alibaug Multi-Modal Corridor project has been under governmental review since 2011. Envisioned as an 8-14 lane access-controlled expressway, it was initially intended to be developed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority but was reassigned to the MSRDC in 2020.

Once completed, the 126-km corridor is anticipated to significantly reduce travel duration between Virar and Alibaug to merely 1.5 to 2 hours. It will link several crucial expressways, including the Mumbai-Ahmedabad, Mumbai-Nashik, and Mumbai-Pune corridors, establishing it as an essential infrastructure connection for the region. The project is slated to unfold in two phases, with 98 km in the first and 29 km in the second. Furthermore, it aims to alleviate congestion in Mumbai and stimulate economic development in nearby areas.

In addition, the Cabinet has sanctioned the allocation of 29 hectares of land by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation at Jambutke in Nashik district for the Tribal Industrial Cluster. This initiative is expected to foster entrepreneurial efforts within the tribal community, thereby generating employment and promoting economic growth,” stated the government release.

As part of the WINDS (Weather Information Network Data System) initiative from the Union government, automatic weather stations (AWS) will be established at the gram panchayat level. Consequently, the deadline for the Mahavedh project has been extended, which aims to provide precise weather updates to all villages in the state.

“This is a critical project for weather-based agricultural advice and support for farmers,” noted the government release.

The Cabinet also approved the Maharashtra Agriculture- Artificial Intelligence MahaAgri-AI Policy 2025-2029 to revolutionize the agricultural sector by leveraging artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

“The integration of artificial intelligence, generative AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), drones, computer vision, robotics, and predictive analytics will facilitate the advancement of projects such as Agristack, Maha-Agristack, MahaVeda, CropSap, AgMarkNet, Digital Shetishala, and Maha-DBT in the state,” elaborated the government release.

The Cabinet has also given the green light for the extension of loans from the Asian Development Bank and the New Development Bank for the Mumbai Metro Route-2A, 2B, and 7 metro projects.

Additionally, the Cabinet has approved an increase in the honorarium for individuals imprisoned during the Emergency, with surviving spouses also set to receive an honorarium.

The Cabinet has sanctioned amendments to the Admission and Fees Regulation Act, 2015. This action will enable the children and dependents of NRIs to gain admission to professional courses. The Cabinet also approved a modification in the definition of NRI for admission to programs in unaided private professional educational institutions.