The Union Budget 2026–27 has earmarked a significant push for infrastructure-led growth, allocating Rs 12.20 lakh crore for infrastructure development across the country. As part of this broader roadmap, the Centre has announced a Rs 5,000 crore allocation spread over five years to support the development of urban regions in Maharashtra under the proposed City Economic Region (CER) framework.
The budget also outlined plans to expand Maharashtra’s inland waterways and integrate them with national waterways, a move aimed at improving logistics efficiency and regional connectivity. Under the CER initiative, areas with a population of over 5 lakh will be prioritised for planned urban development, improved infrastructure, and economic expansion.
The Rs 5,000 crore allocation is expected to support infrastructure upgrades in several urban centres across Maharashtra. These include Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Thane, Palghar, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nashik, Kalyan-Dombivali, Vasai-Virar, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), Navi Mumbai, Solapur, Mira-Bhayander, Bhiwandi-Nizampur, Amravati, Nanded-Waghala, Kolhapur, Ulhasnagar, and Sangli-Miraj-Kupwara. The funding is aimed at strengthening basic urban infrastructure and supporting long-term economic planning in these cities.
In the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), several large-scale infrastructure projects are already underway, led by the state government and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). These include the expansion of the Metro network, the construction of the Navi Mumbai International Airport, and the development of the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA) city. Surrounding regions such as Thane, Kalyan-Dombivali, Mira-Bhayander, Palghar, and Dahanu are also witnessing major infrastructure activity.
The additional central funding is expected to accelerate these projects and enhance their economic impact. A senior MMRDA official said, “This project will benefit the most from the central government’s CER.” Alongside Metro rail and bullet train projects, work is also progressing on warehousing and last-mile connectivity in these regions, helping them evolve into well-planned urban centres with stronger economic linkages.
Overall, the CER-focused allocation is expected to support balanced urban growth and strengthen Maharashtra’s network of emerging cities.
Source: Mumbai Mirror
