Maharashtra Budget 2025: Metro Expansion, Airport Modernization, Highways, Cheaper Electricity, and Employment in Focus

Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister, Ajit Pawar, presented the state’s 2025 budget, outlining a comprehensive plan to boost infrastructure, create jobs, and ensure sustainable development. The budget focuses on key areas such as metro expansion, airport modernization, affordable electricity, and industrial growth. Here’s a detailed look at the major announcements:

Metro Projects Gain Momentum

Maharashtra is accelerating its metro network expansion to provide eco-friendly, sustainable, and air-conditioned transport facilities. Key highlights include:

• Current Status:
  • 143.57 km of metro lines are operational across Mumbai, Nagpur, and Pune.
  • Over 10 lakh passengers use metro services daily.
• Upcoming Projects:
  • 64.4 km of new metro lines will be commissioned in the coming year (41.2 km in Mumbai and 23.2 km in Pune).
  • A total of 237.5 km of metro lines will be operationalized in the next five years.
• Nagpur Metro:
  • Phase 1 (40 km) is complete.
  • Phase 2 (43.80 km) worth ₹6,708 crore is underway.
• Pune Metro Phase 2:
  • Two corridors—Khadakwasla-Swargate-Hadapsar-Kharadi and Nal Stop-Warje-Manikbagh—worth ₹9,897 crore have been sent for central approval.
• Mumbai Metro:
  • Work on the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to Navi Mumbai International Airport metro line will begin soon.
  • Thane Circular Metro Line and Pune Swargate to Katraj Extension Project have received central approval.

Focus on Airport Construction and Modernization

Maharashtra is investing heavily in airport infrastructure to enhance connectivity and boost economic growth:

• Navi Mumbai International Airport:
  • Located in Ulwe, it will handle 10 million passengers and 2.6 million tonnes of cargo annually.
  • 85% of the work is complete, with test flights successfully conducted.
  • Domestic flights are expected to start by April 2025.
• Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport:
  • Upgradation and modernization through private participation will increase passenger and cargo capacity.
• Shirdi Airport:
  • Development works worth ₹1,367 crore approved.
  • Night landing facilities to be operational soon.
• Belora Airport (Amravati):
  • Construction completed; passenger services to begin from March 31, 2025.
• Ratnagiri Airport:
  • Development works worth ₹147 crore in progress.
• Gadchiroli Airport:
  • Survey and exploration work for a new airport has begun.
• Akola Airport:
  • Funds allocated for expansion to improve connectivity.

Low-Cost Electricity Supply

To address rising electricity costs, the Maharashtra government has announced a significant reduction in power tariffs:

• A proposal to fix electricity rates for the next five years has been submitted to the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC).
• Strategic planning in the energy sector and increased procurement of low-cost green energy are expected to save ₹1.13 lakh crore in electricity purchase costs over the next five years.
• Industrial electricity rates in Maharashtra will be lower compared to other states, boosting industrial growth and competitiveness.

Bengaluru-Mumbai Industrial Corridor

The state is focusing on industrial development to generate employment and promote economic growth:

• Land acquisition for the Bengaluru-Mumbai Industrial Corridor has begun.
• This project will encourage industrial establishment in drought-prone areas, creating job opportunities and boosting regional development.

Vadavan Port Development

Maharashtra is set to emerge as a maritime transport superpower with the development of Vadavan Port:

• Project Details:
  • Total cost: ₹76,220 crore (state government’s share: 26%).
  • Annual cargo handling capacity: 300 million metric tons (three times the current capacity of Jawaharlal Nehru Port).
  • Expected to start cargo traffic by 2030.
• Strategic Importance:
  • Will be among the top 10 ports globally in terms of container handling.
  • Connected to the Samruddhi Highway and proposed Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train station.
  • A third airport for Mumbai is proposed near Vadavan Port.

Major Infrastructure Projects to Decongest Mumbai

To ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity, the budget allocates ₹64,783 crore for key projects:

• Coastal Roads:
  • Versova to Madh and Versova to Bhayander.
• Tunnels:
  • Mulund to Goregaon, Thane to Borivali, and Orange Gate to Marine Drive.
• Elevated Roads:
  • Thane to Navi Mumbai International Airport to improve connectivity for Thane, Dombivli, and Kalyan.
• Balkumbh to Gaimukh Coastal Road:
  • 13.45 km project worth ₹3,364 crore, expected to be completed by 2028.

Rural Road Development

Under the Chief Minister’s Gram Sadak Yojana, the state is upgrading rural roads to enhance connectivity:

• Phase 1: Successfully completed.
• Phase 2: Upgrading 9,610 km of roads by March 2026, with an additional 7,000 km to be concretized.
• Phase 3: Connecting 3,582 villages (with populations over 1,000) to major highways via 14,000 km of cement-concrete roads.
• Total Cost: ₹30,100 crore, with ₹8,000 crore allocated for Phase 1.

Employment and Innovation Initiatives

The budget emphasizes job creation and skill development:

• Innovation City in Navi Mumbai: A 250-acre hub for startups and job creation.
• Skill Development for Women: Microsoft will train 10,000 women in AI and other skills through Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skill University.
• Gadchiroli Steel Hub: ₹21,830 crore investment agreements signed at the Davos Economic Forum, expected to generate 7,500 jobs.
• Logistics Hubs: Dedicated logistics hubs on over 10,000 acres, creating 5 lakh direct and indirect jobs.

Conclusion

The Maharashtra Budget 2025 is a forward-looking plan aimed at transforming the state into a hub of sustainable development, infrastructure excellence, and economic growth. With initiatives like cheaper electricity, expansive metro networks, modern airports, and industrial corridors, the state is poised to create millions of jobs and improve the quality of life for its citizens. As Ajit Pawar stated, “Maharashtra will not stop, and progress will not be delayed.”