September 6, 2025: The Maharashtra cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, has approved a series of big-ticket infrastructure and welfare projects aimed at transforming urban connectivity and social support across the state.
A key highlight is the procurement of 238 air-conditioned local trains for Mumbai under MUTP-3 and 3A at a cost of Rs 4,826 crore. Alongside, the government sanctioned Rs 14,907 crore for 136 km of new suburban corridors, including Panvel–Vasai, Kasara–Asangaon, and Badlapur–Karjat. Additionally, a third and fourth suburban line between Pune and Lonavala will be developed at an estimated Rs 5,100 crore.
The state also gave the green light to metro expansions, approving the Rs 23,487 crore Mumbai Metro Line-11 between Wadala and Gateway of India, the Thane circular metro, and extensions to Pune Metro Lines 2 and 4. Nagpur Metro Phase-2, with new stations at Balajinagar and Bibwewadi in Pune, also received clearance.
Nagpur will see a massive infrastructure upgrade with a Rs 13,748 crore outer ring road and four new logistics hubs. The cabinet also approved a Rs 6,500 crore International Business and Finance Centre (IBFC) under the ‘New Nagpur’ initiative, expected to generate over five lakh jobs. Other major projects include a Rs 6,363 crore Thane–Navi Mumbai elevated road and a Rs 3,750 crore Bombay High Court complex at Bandra (East).
On the welfare front, monthly assistance under the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar and Shravanbal schemes will rise from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500, benefitting 4.75 lakh disabled beneficiaries with an annual outlay of Rs 570 crore from October 2025.
Further, the cabinet adopted a revised fly ash utilisation policy for thermal power plants to ensure 100% eco-friendly disposal and job creation. In tribal development, the Suvarna Mahotsavi Tribal Scholarship will be replaced with the Centre’s pre-matric scheme for Class IX and X, offering higher benefits while continuing hostel support.
Source: Prop News Time
