Maharashtra’s urban mission: Devendra Fadnavis pushes for metro boost, housing relief and cleanliness

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. File Pic

In a significant push towards transforming urban infrastructure and public welfare in the state, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has reaffirmed the state's commitment to metro expansion, housing reforms, and cleanliness drives through a comprehensive vision for urban development.

In a detailed post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Fadnavis outlined the outcomes of a key review meeting held at the Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai, attended by Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and senior state officials.

Fadnavis highlighted Maharashtra's ambitious plan to expand metro connectivity across major cities, with special focus on Mumbai and Pune. "The state has rolled out an integrated ticketing system that enables passengers to travel seamlessly across different transport modes - railways, buses, and the metro - making urban commutes more efficient and convenient," he said.

Crucially, the state has sought Central Government approval for two new metro corridors in Pune, proposing a 50:50 funding model. "Since Maharashtra has independently funded these metro projects so far, we've requested the Centre to partner with us. This collaboration will not only bring financial support but also help speed up the execution of metro infrastructure," Fadnavis said.

In light of Mumbai's dense population and unique housing challenges, Fadnavis called on the Central Government to revise the beneficiary criteria under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and related schemes, especially for Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). He emphasized that many deserving families are currently excluded due to rigid eligibility norms and appealed for more flexible guidelines that reflect ground realities.

The state has already begun optimizing funds received under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) to improve housing and urban services, he said.

Maharashtra's performance under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan received praise during the meeting, with the state securing the top rank in the 2023 Swachh Survekshan - India's national cleanliness survey. Fadnavis reiterated the state's commitment to maintaining and scaling up its sanitation initiatives, and requested continued Central support for funding and implementation.

The meeting was attended by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Minister Madhuri Misal, and other key bureaucrats. Together, they reviewed ongoing urban projects, challenges, and strategies to fast-track development across sectors.