Devendra Fadnavis Meets PM Modi to Expedite Key Maharashtra Projects
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav in New Delhi on Monday to discuss measures to expedite key infrastructure, industrial development, and connectivity projects across the state.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Modi, Fadnavis reviewed ongoing and pending development works and sought central cooperation for their faster implementation. He briefed the Prime Minister on Maharashtra's administrative situation and submitted a letter detailing the required central assistance. The discussions spanned major initiatives across highways, railways, metro networks, river-linking projects, and the Uttan-Virar corridor. Fadnavis described the meeting as positive and fruitful, noting that Maharashtra has consistently received favourable support from the Centre for major initiatives.
Fadnavis also invited Prime Minister Modi to inaugurate the Pune Metro-3 project after its ongoing testing concludes. According to the state government, work on Pune Metro-3 is nearly finished, with testing currently underway. The project, being developed in partnership with the Tata Group, represents the country's first metro project implemented under the new public-private partnership model.
In a separate meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Fadnavis discussed financing options for the Mumbai-Vadhavan Expressway connectivity project, also known as the Uttan-Virar corridor. The project carries an estimated cost of approximately Rs 55,000 crore, and the Maharashtra government has sought financial backing from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Due to the substantial funding requirements, Sitharaman recommended exploring an additional multilateral financial institution alongside JICA to mobilise the full capital needed. The state government accepted the suggestion and plans to coordinate with the relevant institutions.
Fadnavis also held talks with Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav to review pending environmental and forest clearances for state projects. The Chief Minister shared details of pending proposals and requested expedited approvals to prevent development delays, receiving an assurance from the Union minister that steps would be taken at the central level to process the applications.
