Will Maharashtra Lead the Nation Due to Its Development Ecosystem?

Mumbai, April 28 (NationPress) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated on Monday that Maharashtra is poised to lead the nation, thanks to its robust development ecosystem that is drawing substantial investments into the state.

He noted that numerous infrastructure development initiatives are currently underway throughout Maharashtra, including critical projects involving roads, railways, the bullet train, waterways, ports, and airports, emphasizing that Maharashtra will be at the forefront of national development.

While addressing the ‘India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor Summit 2025’, CM Fadnavis indicated that the work on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train is advancing swiftly, with expectations that travel by bullet train will be possible by 2028. A bullet train station is set to be established near Vadhavan Port. Significant ongoing infrastructure projects in Mumbai include the Coastal Road, Atal Setu, and various Metro routes, which are anticipated to attract investments of up to $50 billion in Mumbai.

“Initiatives such as the Vadhavan Port in Palghar district and the Navi Mumbai International Airport are expected to be transformative. Additionally, the forthcoming new airport in Pune, alongside the development of Shirdi and Nagpur airports, the River Linking Project, and the Bullet Train Project, will play crucial roles,” he remarked.

He mentioned that the Coastal Road is being extended to Virar. Vadhavan Port will be three times larger than the existing Jawaharlal Nehru Port. A controlled-access highway will connect the port to Nashik and further link it to the Samruddhi Mahamarg (expressway). A new international airport near Vadhavan Port is also proposed, and plans are being made to develop a ‘Fourth Mumbai’ in this area.

“Efforts are underway to redirect floodwaters from Kolhapur and Sangli districts, as well as waters from the Western Ghats that currently flow into the sea, towards the Ujani Dam and Marathwada region. This initiative aims to make Marathwada drought-free in the future. Following the Samruddhi Mahamarg, a ‘Shaktipeeth Mahamarg’ connecting Nagpur to Goa will be developed. Maharashtra is committed to being a state ready for the future,” stated the chief minister.

He added that Maharashtra is making impressive advancements in the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ rankings to attract and support investors. By 2029, Maharashtra aims to secure the top position in this category. The 'MAITRI' portal has been introduced to assist investors, providing a single-window system that simplifies the establishment of industries.

With the ongoing enhancements in transportation infrastructure, the movement of freight across the state is becoming more efficient. At present, it is possible to travel from Jawaharlal Nehru Port to Nagpur in just eight hours, with Vadhavan Port expected to further enhance this efficiency. A cargo hub is being developed in Nagpur, along with another at Pune International Airport, said the chief minister.

“The Navi Mumbai International Airport and Atal Setu will aid in the development of ‘Third Mumbai’. A new ‘Edu-City’ is also being established in this region, with prestigious universities planning to set up campuses. Moreover, a ‘Health City’ and an ‘Innovation City’ are in the pipeline,” he mentioned.

According to the chief minister, Maharashtra is witnessing a large-scale generation of solar energy. The agricultural sector itself is expected to produce 16,000 MW of electricity through solar power. Currently, 21 percent of the state's energy capacity comes from solar sources, which is projected to rise to 52 percent by 2030. Under the Solar Agriculture Feeder Scheme, 3,000 transformers have been converted to operate on solar energy.

“Substantial reforms are being implemented in public transportation. There is an increasing demand for electric vehicles in the state, which are being integrated into public transport systems. Maharashtra is emerging as the electric vehicle capital of India,” he concluded.