Maharashtra’s efforts to accelerate industrial reforms were placed under sharp focus during a recent review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at Sahyadri Guest House. Officials were directed to ensure that record levels of foreign investment attracted to the state are converted into operational industries in the shortest possible time.
It was emphasized that the number of permits required for establishing industries must be reduced significantly. A stronger reliance on technology-driven solutions was highlighted as a priority to ensure that entrepreneurs spend less time in bureaucratic processes and more time in building enterprises. The Chief Minister noted that Maharashtra had consistently remained the top destination for foreign investment in India and that reforms must be executed effectively to sustain this lead.
As part of these initiatives, the Urban Development Department was instructed to create an AI-based online system for granting building construction permits. Under this mechanism, applicants would upload documents online, and the system would process requirements automatically, granting approvals wherever applicable. The Chief Minister underlined that such a model would save time for applicants and eliminate unnecessary delays in approvals.
The idea of a single-window clearance system was also reinforced. Through this framework, it was proposed that entrepreneurs should only need to submit one application to secure all necessary permissions across multiple departments, rather than facing repeated submissions. The approach is intended to simplify operations and reduce redundancy in the approval chain.
Attention was also drawn to the need for reforms in environmental clearance processes. Industries identified under the Green Category, which are classified as non-polluting, would be given a relaxation from obtaining repeated licenses. These units would only require fresh licenses after a fixed period, providing stability for small and medium businesses in particular.
At the district level, administrations were asked to play a more proactive role in ensuring that approvals are coordinated swiftly with state-level departments. By streamlining district and state operations, it was suggested that a more industry-friendly environment could be built, thus attracting further investment.
The Chief Minister stated that Maharashtra’s ambition of becoming a $1 trillion economy was closely tied to such reforms. Investor confidence, according to him, would be strengthened if Maharashtra was recognized as the state with the fastest approval system for new industries. Such positioning would not only enhance global competitiveness but also reaffirm the state’s leadership in industrial development.
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