Vadhavan Port and Navi Mumbai International Airport to be Game Changers
Development of Infrastructure to Give Rise to Third and Fourth Mumbai
Bullet Train Travel to be Possible by 2028
Mumbai, April 28 : Large-scale infrastructure development projects are underway across Maharashtra, including roads, railways, the bullet train, waterways, ports, and airports. This comprehensive development 'ecosystem' is attracting significant investments into the state. Maharashtra will lead the nation in development, asserted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor Summit 2025" is being held at Hotel Four Seasons. During the summit, CNBC-TV18 Editor Shereen Bhan interviewed Chief Minister Fadnavis.
Chief Minister Fadnavis stated that work on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train is progressing rapidly and that travel by bullet train will become possible by 2028. A bullet train station will be developed near Vadhavan Port. Massive infrastructure works are ongoing in Mumbai, including the Coastal Road, Atal Setu, and various metro routes, he said. These projects are expected to attract investments up to $50 billion in Mumbai.
Projects like the Vadhavan Port in Palghar district and the Navi Mumbai International Airport are set to be game changers. Additionally, the upcoming new airport in Pune, the development of Shirdi and Nagpur airports, the River Linking Project, and the Bullet Train Project will play pivotal roles.
The Coastal Road is being extended up to Virar. Vadhavan Port will be three times larger than the existing Jawaharlal Nehru Port. A controlled-access highway will connect the port to Nashik and further link it to the Samruddhi Mahamarg (expressway). A new international airport near Vadhavan Port is also proposed. Furthermore, plans are in place to develop a "Fourth Mumbai" in this region.
Efforts are being made to divert floodwaters from Kolhapur and Sangli districts, and waters from the Western Ghats that currently flow into the sea, towards the Ujani Dam and Marathwada region. This will help make Marathwada drought-free in the future. After the Samruddhi Mahamarg, a "Shaktipeeth Mahamarg" connecting Nagpur to Goa will be developed. Maharashtra will always be a state ready for the future, said the Chief Minister.
Fadnavis added that Maharashtra is making great strides in the "Ease of Doing Business" rankings to attract and facilitate investors. By 2029, Maharashtra aims to be ranked first in this category. The 'MAITRI' portal has been developed to support investors, offering a single-window system that simplifies setting up industries.
Due to the ongoing improvements in transportation infrastructure, freight movement across the state is accelerating. Currently, it is possible to reach Nagpur from Jawaharlal Nehru Port in just eight hours, and Vadhavan Port will further boost efficiency. A cargo hub is being developed in Nagpur, and another one is being developed at Pune International Airport.
The Navi Mumbai International Airport and Atal Setu will facilitate the development of the "Third Mumbai." A new "Edu-City" is also being established in this region, with world-renowned universities setting up campuses. Additionally, a "Health City" and an "Innovation City" are being developed.
Large-scale solar energy generation is taking place in Maharashtra. The agricultural sector alone is set to generate 16,000 MW of electricity through solar energy. Currently, 21% of the state's energy capacity is from solar power, which is projected to increase to 52% by 2030.
Under the Solar Agriculture Feeder Scheme, 3,000 transformers have been converted to operate on solar power. Significant reforms are being made in public transportation. There is a growing demand for electric vehicles in the state, and they are being integrated into public transport. Maharashtra is emerging as the electric vehicle capital of India, said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
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