Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has cleared a series of infrastructure projects, budget allocations, and policy measures aimed at strengthening urban development across the state’s major metropolitan regions, including Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Nagpur.
Chairing review meetings of various metropolitan region development authorities, Fadnavis emphasised the need for planned growth backed by strong infrastructure and efficient governance. At the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority meeting, he directed officials to prepare a structural development plan within six months based on detailed ground-level assessments. “The structural plan must be prepared within six months with proper on-ground inspection,” he said.
The Pune authority approved a budget of Rs 4,628.85 crore for 2026–27, with Rs 2,918.81 crore allocated to key infrastructure works such as ring roads, metro projects, road upgrades, the Katraj–Yerawada twin tunnel, and a proposed skywalk in Lonavala. The Chief Minister also instructed the creation of a special purpose vehicle for the twin tunnel project, with the Pune Municipal Corporation overseeing coordination. Additionally, plans for 23 newly merged villages will be developed under a structured framework.
In Nashik, the metropolitan authority approved a Rs 236.07 crore budget for 2026–27 and decided to develop areas along the proposed ring road as phased “influence zones” to guide expansion. A revised budget of Rs 454.5 crore for 2025–26 was also cleared, along with policies related to land management and planning.
For Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, approvals included land acquisition in Waluj, funding through CIDCO, and delegation of powers under the MRTP Act to speed up implementation. Administrative measures such as filling vacancies and introducing infrastructure charges were also sanctioned.
Meanwhile, the Nagpur authority approved an outer ring road, four transport hubs, and plans for an International Business and Financial Centre in New Nagpur. Funding support through HUDCO and additional land acquisition for water supply projects were also cleared.
Officials said these decisions aim to enhance infrastructure capacity, streamline governance, and support sustainable urban growth across Maharashtra’s key regions.
Source: Hindustan Times
