Palghar DPDC Approves ₹859 Crore Plan and Dapchari International Agro Export Hub
On Friday, the Palghar District Planning and Development Committee (DPDC) approved a massive ₹859.38-crore development plan for the 2026-27 financial year and greenlit an International Agro Export Hub at Dapchari in Dahanu taluka. The landmark decisions were finalized during a meeting chaired by Maharashtra Forest Minister and Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik at the Lokshahir Atmaram Patil Planning Committee Hall in the Palghar Collectorate.
The newly approved budget of ₹859.38 crore will be distributed across the Tribal Component Programme, General Component, and Special Component schemes. Guardian Minister Naik directed all government departments to coordinate closely to ensure balanced and inclusive development throughout the district, with a focus on healthcare, education, infrastructure, tribal welfare, and employment.
Naik instructed that the funds be allocated equitably, taking into account the population, local requirements, and developmental priorities of each individual taluka. Additionally, he ordered all departments to achieve 100 percent utilization of the remaining funds from the 2025-26 financial year before March 2027.
A major highlight of the meeting was the state government's decision to establish the International Agro Export Hub, also referred to as the International Agricultural Market or Terminal Market, at Dapchari. The project is designed to become a critical logistics and export center for agricultural produce across Maharashtra. To protect the interests of the local community, the committee unanimously passed a resolution to formulate a policy guaranteeing employment opportunities for local residents and landowners in the upcoming export hub.
Under the broader "Developed Maharashtra 2030" vision and the district development plan, the committee emphasized strengthening road connectivity to remote and tribal villages that currently lack all-weather access. The plan also prioritizes enhancing energy infrastructure, sports, tourism, healthcare, and education. Furthermore, the committee resolved to prioritize the construction of crematoriums in all remaining revenue villages, wadis, and padas across the district during the current financial year.
The high-level meeting was attended by several prominent officials and leaders, including Member of Parliament Dr. Hemant Savara and District Collector Dr. Indu Rani Jakhar. Also in attendance were MLAs Adv. Niranjan Davkhare, Dnyaneshwar Mhatre, Ravindra Phatak, Rajendra Gavit, Shantaram More, Vilas Tare, Vinod Nikole, Harishchandra Bhoye, Sneha Dube Pandit, and Rajan Naik, alongside Vasai-Virar Municipal Commissioner Prithviraj B.P., Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Manoj Ranade, and Superintendent of Police Yatish Deshmukh.
