Maharashtra Budget 2020: Govt announces spending on water transport and development of economic corridor in Satara

Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister of Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar (NCP), presented the government’s first budget since the Maha Vikas Aghadi took power a few months ago. The budget indicates that the government is looking to boost water transport in the region by setting up Ro-Ro services as well as the creation of a jetty (pier) at Radio Club in Colaba. This pier will reportedly cost Rs 50 crore. The government has also allocated Rs 276 crore for port development across the region.

Further, a Rs 65 crore has been proposed for the construction of jetties that will be used by Ro-Ro services in Vasai, Bhayander, Kharwadeshwari, Manori, Ghodbunder, Narangi, Malvan, Borivali, Gorai and Ambadveis. This will be a part of the government’s ambitious Sagarmala program meant for tourists as well as locals of the city.

Also Read: 62 Percent Of The Mumbai’s Eastern Waterfront To Remain Open For Public

The State Government has also set aside Rs 401 crore for the purchase of 1,600 new buses as well as the development of existing infrastructure at bus stations across the city. 

The government will launch passenger transport services at a cost of Rs 86 crore for its National Waterways scheme. These ferries will take commuters from Mira-Bhayander to Dombivli while coasting through the Vasai-Thane-Kalyan route. 

Additionally, the government will also set up an economic corridor in the Satara district as part of the BMEC (Bengaluru-Mumbai Economic Corridor). This project is estimated to cost Rs 4,000 crore and will reportedly benefit neighbouring regions like Sangli and Solapur as well. 

The Maharashtra Government has been keen on developing key infrastructure in the city as part of its plan to modernize Mumbai. Authorities recently spoke of setting up walking tours across iconic parts of the metropolitan city to encourage tourism as well as local businesses.

Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray engineered the Mumbai 24x7 plan which allowed businesses and vendors to remain open throughout the night. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recently announced plans to extend this plan further.