A renewed emphasis on fast-tracked infrastructure and investment facilitation was seen in Maharashtra on Saturday, as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was reported to have directed officials to ensure that land allotment for major projects was completed without delay. A clear message of urgency was conveyed during review meetings in which the state’s plans for data centres, EduCity and MediCity were discussed. It was indicated that Maharashtra’s next phase of development was being shaped through a combination of digital expansion, educational advancement and healthcare infrastructure planning.
In the meeting focused on data centres, swift land allotment was said to have been prioritised once agreements with companies were finalised. Interest from firms based in Central Asia was highlighted, and this interest was presented as a sign that Maharashtra was being recognised as a promising destination for investment in digital infrastructure. It was stressed that all major requirements linked to such projects, especially land acquisition and approvals, should be completed within fixed timelines. The need for coordination between departments was also underlined, as delays were not expected to be allowed to affect investment momentum.
Special importance was also attached to electricity supply. It was directed that power for data centre projects should be treated as a priority, considering the energy-intensive nature of such infrastructure. CIDCO was asked to create a dedicated land bank for data centre developments, while the energy department was told that land for substations should be allocated quickly. Officials were reported to have said that supporting infrastructure was already being strengthened and that adequate electricity arrangements were being put in place for incoming investments. Through these measures, Maharashtra’s readiness for the data centre sector was sought to be improved in a structured way.
At the same time, attention was also given to the proposed EduCity and MediCity projects, which were said to be planned near the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport. In a separate review, land allocation for both initiatives was directed to be expedited. These projects were described as strategic efforts through which leading international universities could be attracted and world-class higher education opportunities could be created within Maharashtra. It was reported that several global universities had already shown interest in setting up campuses in the state.
The broader purpose of EduCity and MediCity was also outlined. It was stated that students in Maharashtra would be given access to globally competitive higher education without being required to leave the state. In addition, research, innovation and startup growth were expected to be encouraged through the ecosystem that would be built around these projects. A master plan for MediCity was said to have already been prepared, while land acquisition and planning work for both developments was reported to be underway.
The significance of these projects was presented as extending beyond land and infrastructure alone. It was underlined that the arrival of globally reputed universities would strengthen opportunities across sectors and help Maharashtra emerge more strongly as a hub for education, research and innovation. In effect, a dual-track growth model appeared to be taking shape, in which investment in digital infrastructure was being pursued alongside investment in human capital and institutional capacity.
Overall, what was reflected through these review meetings was a governance approach in which speed, coordination and long-term positioning were being prioritised. Whether through data centres or through EduCity and MediCity, Maharashtra’s development agenda was being pushed forward with a clear focus on future readiness, global partnerships and sector-wide growth.
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