January 8, 2026: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday admitted that Ulhasnagar has lagged significantly behind other cities in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and assured residents of a decisive push to reverse years of stagnation. Addressing a public gathering, he said the city’s multicultural character and social vibrancy have not been matched by adequate development, unlike neighbouring municipal corporations that have seen rapid urban transformation.
Highlighting poor civic conditions, Fadnavis noted that although Ulhasnagar holds city status, many areas continue to reflect village-like infrastructure and governance gaps. “Ulhasnagar is a city where people from all communities live together and where different cultures are visible. But we must honestly accept that the city has not developed the way it should have. Compared to other municipal corporations, Ulhasnagar has fallen far behind,” he said.
Stressing his action-oriented approach, the Chief Minister added that change would be driven through execution rather than rhetoric. “This is not just a matter of asking questions. I am a person who gives answers by acting. We will do what is needed to change this situation,” he asserted. He further emphasised political resolve, stating, “When someone’s mission is change, no one can stop that change.”
Linking Ulhasnagar’s future to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s post-2014 development vision, Fadnavis said growth must be inclusive of both urban and semi-urban regions. “Today, Thane and Navi Mumbai have undergone a massive transformation. Large-scale infrastructure and urban renewal are visible there. But Ulhasnagar could not change at the same pace, and that is something we are determined to correct,” he said.
Fadnavis highlighted that projects worth Rs 4.5 lakh crore are currently underway across the MMR through the MMRDA, signalling opportunities for Ulhasnagar to benefit from the region’s infrastructure surge. On law and order, he delivered a firm message: “There will be no place for goondaraj in Ulhasnagar. Only the rule of law will prevail here.”
Drawing a symbolic parallel with the BJP’s lotus emblem, he said, “The lotus blooms even in mud, yet it never gets stained. That is the strength and character we stand for.” The Chief Minister expressed confidence that sustained infrastructure investment, improved governance, and strict law enforcement will soon place Ulhasnagar on par with other fast-growing MMR cities.
