The Maharashtra government has requested the union government to provide funds for key infrastructure projects worth Rs 1 lakh crore. These projects include five to six railways projects in Maharashtra, Fadnavis told dna, without providing specific details. He was speaking after the Niti Aayog's first meet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Maharashtra government has requested the union government to provide funds for key infrastructure projects worth Rs 1 lakh crore. These projects include five to six railways projects in Maharashtra, Fadnavis told dna, without providing specific details. He was speaking after the Niti Aayog's first meet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Fadnavis said, "The interest rates are still not at a level that will help in speeding up key infrastructure projects. In the meanwhile, the centre should increase funding..." He added that the state would utilise the funds efficiently through use of the 'special purpose vehicle' route for taking up key infrastructure projects. An SPV company is formed to implement specific projects, and is wound down upon project completion. It has several advantages including corporate culture, specialisation, singularity of focus, efficiency, and lack of interference from other government agencies.
The CM said that the state government has already held talks with the railway ministry to fast-track five to six key projects using SPVs. He said, "Through SPVs we will try to focus on increasing the efficiency and traffic on freight corridors, passenger connectivity, and give a boost to economic activity." Besides urban infrastructure projects, he said he wanted to develop Maharashtra's ports. "We are also going to work with the centre to develop port-based infrastructure such as coastal highways and waterways to enhance the port activities. We have also sought assistance for these projects," Fadnavis told dna.
During the Niti Aayog meeting, the CM requested the centre to give special attention to the backward regions of Vidarbha and Marathwada. "These regions (Vidarbha and Marathwada) have been constitutionally recognised as backward regions under Article 371(2) but as you know, there has not been much development. In today's meeting I had a discussion with the centre on releasing adequate funds for these regions," the CM said.
Fadnavis said the state is also preparing an integrated management plan for Godavari river, its basins and 30 sub-basins based on the Murray-Darling management model of Australia. To push this project, the CM has sought funding under the Namami Ganga project.
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