Maharashtra: Govt plans road network to connect tourist, pilgrimage sites
Rs 8,400 cr for SHORE project in coastal districts
3 min read
While presenting his 11th budget, Finance Minister Ajit Pawar also announced creation of seven business/ growth centres across the region of Mumbai (Express Photo)Even as Maharashtra’s debt stock is projected to rise to Rs 9.32 lakh crore, the state government, in its budget for 2025-2026, gave a push to the existing proposed infrastructure development projects in the state and also announced a new plan to connect places of pilgrimage and tourism through a road network.
The government announced comprehensive and long-term “Amritkal Road Development Plan 2025 to 2047” that will be prepared based on the predefined criteria and aims to include road network connecting tourist centres, pilgrimage sites, religious places, forts, national parks, sanctuaries, settlements with a population of more than 5,000 as well as all district and taluka headquarters.
Besides, the state government announced an externally aided SHORE project worth Rs 8,400 crore that will be implemented in coastal districts to protect against natural disasters arising from the climate change and rising sea levels.
The budget gives a push to the existing proposed and ongoing infrastructure development projects related to roads, sea links,ports, airports, metro rail network and expressways, by keeping Mumbai Metropolitan region in focus.
While presenting his 11th budget, Finance Minister Ajit Pawar also announced creation of seven business/ growth centres across the region of Mumbai and allocated around Rs 64,000 crore for the ongoing infrastructure projects in Mumbai.
The international-level business centers will be established at seven locations, such as Bandra-Kurla Complex, Kurla-Worli, Wadala, Goregaon, Navi Mumbai, Kharghar, and Virar-Boisar with an objective of increasing the size of the economy of MMR from the current $140 billion to $300 billion by 2030, and to $1.5 trillion by 2047.
“The Mumbai Metropolitan Region will become the growth hub of Maharashtra and hence we have planned seven business centres at various places in the region,” Pawar said adding that a third airport will be built in Mumbai.
The budget also said that an approval has been given to establish a port at Murbe village in Palghar worth Rs 4,259 crore with the participation of private sector. Vadhavan Port is planned in Palghar district by the union government with an estimated cost of Rs 76,220 crore, with the State Government spending a share of 26%.
“The third airport for Mumbai and the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train station will be established near the Vadhavan Port. The port will also be connected to the Samruddhi Mahamarg. A policy will be announced to provide financial incentives for modern, well-equipped boats to ensure safe travel from Gateway of India, Mumbai to Mandwa and Elephanta,” the budget stated.
Innovation City will be established in 250 acres of land in Navi Mumbai Infrastructure development.
Major infra projects
- 237.5 km of metro lines will be operational over the next 5 years
- Construction of 1500 kms of road network under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Phase 3
- Agro-logistic Hubs to be developed along Samridhi Mahamarg.
- An elevated route from Thane to Navi Mumbai international airport being planned
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