The Maharashtra Budget has put additional focus on beefing up the State’s infrastructure and development of urban areas. Special emphasis has been put on construction of new roads and big-ticket projects, with ₹16,025 crore set aside for road projects. It has also put focus on Mumbai-related projects such as the Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway and expansion of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar allocated ₹35,791 crore for the Urban Development Department, which is under renewed focus since the recent appointment of Minister of State for Urban Development Yogesh Sagar.
The Budget announced on Tuesday set a target of constructing 3.36 lakh km of roads across the State by 2021. About 30,000 km of roads have been proposed under the Chief Minister Gram Sadak Yojna. Separate allocations have been announced for the Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway and extension to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. “The length of Mumbai-Pune Expressway is 94.5 km, and it is proposed to reduce this distance and cut time taken for transportation. An expenditure of ₹6,695 crore is expected on this,” the finance minister said.
The Budget has also made space for ₹775 crore for construction of a third bridge on the Thane creek, and made provisions for work on the Sewri-Mumbai Trans Harbour Project and Versova-Bandra Sea Link. Mr. Mungantiwar said, “We have already constructed roads of 2.99 lakh km, which include State and national highways. The State’s path to prosperity passes through a better road network.”
