In a significant cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday, the Maharashtra government approved eight major policy decisions aimed at enhancing the state’s infrastructure, social welfare, judicial operations, and financial governance. These decisions are expected to have a far-reaching impact on development, particularly in the sectors of religious tourism, education, urban services, and energy security.
The most prominent decision was the approval of the Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Highway, a mega expressway connecting Pawanar in Wardha district to Patradevi on the Maharashtra-Goa border in Sindhudurg. The ₹20,000 crore project aims to boost religious tourism by connecting three and a half Shaktipeeths, two Jyotirlingas, and 18 prominent pilgrimage sites including Pandharpur and Ambejogai. The highway development and land acquisition will be overseen by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).
In a major relief to displaced residents from the plot reserved for the High Court in Bandra (East), the cabinet waived off a ₹31.75 crore fee previously levied on them. Additionally, both residential and non-residential structures on the land will now be handed over free of cost to the Public Works Department.
In a move to support tribal education, the cabinet approved a twofold increase in the monthly subsistence and food allowances for tribal students living in government hostels. The annual allowance for educational materials has also been significantly enhanced. The government expects this decision to reduce barriers to education for tribal youth.
Revised administrative approval has been granted for the hydropower project at the base of the Koyna Dam, a critical move aimed at strengthening energy security in the state.
The Finance Department has been authorized to amend the Maharashtra Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 and introduce a bill in the upcoming legislative session. In parallel, a separate bill will be tabled to address settlements related to tax, interest, penalties, and late fees concerning arrears of public sector undertakings.
The cabinet approved the use of 40% of the 1-hectare 75 R cemetery land in Mouje Chikhli under Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation—around 7,000 square meters—for setting up a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) to improve local sanitation and wastewater management.
The state will provide a government guarantee for a ₹2,000 crore loan from HUDCO under the Maharashtra Urban Infrastructure Development Loan Scheme, with the guarantee fee waived off. Key allocations under this loan include:
₹822.22 crore for Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation's water supply project,
₹268.84 crore for four sewage projects in Nagpur Metropolitan Region, and
₹116.28 crore for Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation's water supply scheme.
These wide-ranging decisions are expected to accelerate infrastructure development, strengthen public service delivery, and enhance economic and social growth across Maharashtra. Experts and policymakers alike believe that these proactive steps will benefit common citizens and contribute significantly to the state’s long-term development trajectory.