Maharashtra 2026: The ₹30 Lakh Crore Vision

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has outlined an infrastructure-driven growth strategy to position the state as a global investment hub, targeting ₹30 lakh crore in investments.

Speaking at the Economic Times Maharashtra Business Summit & Awards 2026, Fadnavis emphasized connectivity as the backbone of development. He described new road projects as “economic corridors” designed to spur wider economic activity. He also highlighted port-led growth, calling the upcoming Vadhvan Port a transformative project that could significantly boost logistics and trade capacity.

The summit brought together policymakers and industry leaders to discuss key sectors such as urban mobility, renewable energy, digital governance, and industrial policy.

Urban Development Minister Madhuri Meera Satish Misal stressed that growth must be inclusive, focusing not just on infrastructure creation but also on jobs, enterprise, and improved living standards.

IT and Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar announced that Maharashtra is preparing to launch an AI policy, with plans to develop Mumbai into a major AI hub. He also noted that around 1,000 citizen services are being digitized to strengthen governance.

Spain’s Ambassador to India, Juan Antonio March Pujol, cautioned against unplanned urban expansion, emphasizing the need for structured city planning to enhance mobility and quality of life.

On regulatory reforms, Principal Secretary (Industries) P Anbalagan highlighted the need to eliminate bottlenecks and adopt a more trust-based governance approach to accelerate investment.

Infrastructure discussions included Mumbai’s transport challenges, with MMRDA Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee noting that metro systems alone cannot address public transport needs without integrated mobility solutions.

In the energy sector, Additional Chief Secretary Abha Shukla underscored the link between energy demand and economic growth, reiterating the state’s goal of sourcing 50% of its energy from renewables by 2030.

Pharmaceutical industry leaders also raised concerns. Bhushan Akshikar of GSK Pharmaceuticals India pointed out that new investments are shifting to other states, while Bhavin Mehta emphasized the need for long-term capital to sustain innovation.

Overall, the summit highlighted Maharashtra’s strategy of combining infrastructure expansion, policy reform, and technological advancement to drive its next phase of economic and urban growth.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.