Maharashtra earmarks ₹63,557-cr for infra projects

The Maharashtra government has earmarked investments of ₹63,557 crore in addition to the ₹2 lakh crore infra projects currently under various stages of implementation in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and in other parts of the state. The state government has proposed ₹3,500 crore to complete the Konkan Marine Highway in three years, with ₹15,000 crore ring roads of 170 km to divert traffic entering Pune city. The government will also start construction of 40,000 km of roads under the Rural Road Development Scheme with an outlay of ₹1,501 crore and Urban Road Development Scheme of ₹1,000 crore in 2020-21, said Deputy CM, Ajit Pawar. he informed that the financial restructuring of the ₹55,000 crore Mumbai Nagpur Samruddhi Express way has saved the interest outgo following the allocation of ₹8,500 crore. Krishi Samruddhi Kendra at 20 places along the Samruddhi Expressway will also be developed to generate more revenue. The Pune-Pimpri Chinchwad Metro project will be extended with the development of new lines from Shivaji Nagar to Shewale Wadi, Maan to Pirangut; and the expansion of Vanaj to Ramwadi metro up to Chandani Chowk-Vanaj-Ramvadi-Wagholi will also be carried out at an investment of ₹1,656 crore. The government has granted in-principle approval to start tourist and passenger transport from Mira Bhayander to Dombivli on Vasai-Thane-Kalyan route under the National Waterways program. The government will provide ₹500 crore to the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to purchase new 1600 luxurious buses replacing older ones and an outlay of ₹200 crore, while another ₹200 crore has been earmarked for the modernization of MSRTC bus stations.