Maharashtra allocates ₹25,000 crore for major transport infrastructure projects

Mumbai, India (Urban Transport News): Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on March 11, 2022, presented the Maharashtra budget for 2022-23. The state budget covered multiple sectors but here we have focused on what it had for the automobile, railways and aviation sectors.

Mumbai Metro Line 3 (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz) will be extended from Ciffe Parade to Navynagar. A new metro project is proposed on Swargate to Katraj in Pune. A detailed project report for Pimpri to Nigdi, Vanaz to Chandni Chowk, Ramwadi to Wagholi, Swargate to Hadaspur, Hadaspur to Kharadi and Khadakwasla to Swargate are being prepared.

The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has started work on the Pune Metro's Line 3 connecting Rajiv Gandhi IT Park in Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar. The length of project is 23 km and it will cost Rs 8,313 crores.

The budget allocates Rs 16,000 crore for the proposed semi-high speed rail line between Nashik and Pune. The 235.15 km Pune-Nashik semi-high speed rail corridor which will connect two cities within the state will have 20 stations. 

The budget pushes forward to increase the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) for environment protection. The deputy chief minister announced that 5,000 EV charging stations will be installed in the state. In addition, 3,000 eco-friendly buses will be bought for state transportation.

In the budget Rs 1,500 crore has been allotted for Pune Ring Road to improve transportation. The project is supposed to decrease the traffic in the city by covering the external areas. The development of the project is to be done in multiple phases.

A sum of Rs 7,500 crore has been set aside for 10,000 km of road improvement under the Mukhyamantri Gram Sadak Yojana Phase-II and 6,550 kilometres of road improvement under the Prime Minister's Village Road Scheme Phase-3.

The deputy chief minister announced building a new airport in Gadchiroli is in consideration. The announcement also included funding for airport improvements in Shirdi, Ratnagiri, Amravati and Kolhapur.