A broad set of policy decisions aimed at enhancing infrastructure, easing urban pressures, and expanding economic opportunities was approved by the Maharashtra Cabinet during its recent meeting. The decisions were positioned as part of a comprehensive governance effort to address infrastructure gaps, workforce welfare, rural development, and institutional efficiency across the state.
Relief for commuters was prioritised through the extension of the concessional toll rate on the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri–Nhava Sheva Atal Setu. The toll of ₹250 was approved to remain in effect for another year, ensuring continued affordability for daily users of the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link. The measure was described as beneficial for private vehicle owners as well as electric vehicle users, supporting both cost reduction and sustainable transport adoption.
Long-standing concerns related to police accommodation were addressed with the clearance of the Mumbai Police Housing Township project. Under this initiative, approximately 45,000 government residential units are to be constructed across Mumbai city and its suburban regions. The approval was viewed as a significant step toward resolving chronic housing shortages faced by police personnel, with improved living conditions expected to contribute to workforce morale and operational efficiency.
Employment generation beyond national boundaries was also placed on the agenda. The Maharashtra Agency for Holistic International Mobility and Advancements (MAHIMA) was formally approved, with the agency expected to function as a structured platform for overseas employment. Skill development, international placement facilitation, and coordinated execution were identified as key responsibilities, enabling trained youth from Maharashtra to access global job markets in an organised manner.
In the agriculture sector, administrative approval amounting to ₹4,775 crore was granted for the Bembala River irrigation project in Yavatmal district. Once completed, irrigation benefits are expected to extend across more than 52,000 hectares in five talukas. Rehabilitation and resettlement matters concerning project-affected families in Amravati district were also resolved, addressing social concerns linked to large-scale infrastructure projects.
Urban transport development received further momentum through the approval of revised cost estimates and the state government’s financial share for the Mumbai Urban Transport Project Phase-2. Additionally, funding support was sanctioned under the PM E-Drive scheme for the procurement of 1,000 electric buses for Pune’s public transport system, with financial mechanisms approved to ensure timely payments to suppliers.
Other decisions included land fee waivers for religious infrastructure, land allotments for agricultural export hubs, restructuring of economic and statistical departments, and allocation of land for development corporation headquarters. Collectively, the approvals reflected a multi-sector governance approach, with long-term economic growth, social welfare, and administrative efficiency positioned as central objectives of the state’s development strategy.
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