Gadchiroli to Mumbai: Industries, Infrastructure and Eco-Friendly Development Gain Momentum – Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

Maharashtra Marching Towards a $1 Trillion Economy

Highway of Development from Mumbai to Surjagad

Mumbai, May 2026: Maharashtra is moving rapidly towards the vision of “Developed India 2047”, and a new expressway of development will be built from Mumbai to Surjagad in Gadchiroli. Through industries, modern infrastructure, fast connectivity, skill development, housing, and environment-friendly projects, comprehensive development of the state is being achieved. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed confidence that this broad development blueprint will help Maharashtra’s economy reach $1 trillion.

Speaking at The Hindu Conclave on the topic “Mumbai to Surjagad – The Highway of Prosperity”, he presented a detailed overview of infrastructure, industries, housing, transport, environment, and development in remote regions such as Gadchiroli.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that while Mumbai is the country’s economic centre, remote regions such as Gadchiroli are rich in natural and industrial resources. He clarified that the government’s focus is not to restrict development only to metropolitan cities, but to ensure it reaches rural, tribal, and backward regions as well. He said that projects such as the Samruddhi Mahamarg, metro network, Navi Mumbai International Airport, industrial corridors, steel projects, and skill development centres have significantly boosted employment generation in the state, creating a development journey from “coast to forest” in recent years.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that while serving as guardian minister of Gadchiroli, he visited Naxal-affected areas and interacted with local citizens, tribal communities, and police personnel to build trust. Recalling that he celebrated festivals such as Raksha Bandhan and Diwali with security personnel in Gadchiroli, he said, “If we want to develop remote areas, it is essential to establish an emotional connection with the local community.”

Focus on Employment Along with Infrastructure

Roads, bridges, ambulances, oxygen plants, and essential administrative facilities have been developed in Gadchiroli. However, he stated that the government’s main role is not only to create facilities but also to generate industries and employment opportunities.

Tata Technology Skill Development Centre

After discussions with the Tata Group, the concept of skill development for local youth was introduced. As a result, the ‘Tata Technology Skill Development Centre’ was established with an investment of ₹170 crore. Equipped with advanced technology, the centre trains nearly 4,800 students annually and is expected to create large-scale employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in the future.

Control Over Naxalism

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Naxalism has been brought under significant control, creating a new direction for development in Naxal-affected areas such as Gadchiroli. Today, major development work is underway in industries, roads, internet facilities, healthcare, and education, connecting remote regions to the mainstream.

Investments Worth Thousands of Crores in Gadchiroli

A memorandum of understanding has been signed with Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited for a ₹20,000 crore integrated steel plant at Konsari, expected to generate around 10,000 jobs. In addition, another ₹20,000 crore investment through Surjagad Ispat is expected to create employment for nearly 8,000 youth.

Surjagad to Be Linked with Samruddhi Expressway

An 85-km greenfield road project for mineral transportation in the Surjagad region has been approved. This route will connect with the Samruddhi Expressway, reducing travel time between Mumbai and Gadchiroli to around 9–10 hours. He also informed that approval has been granted for a new airport in Gadchiroli.

Major Employment Through ‘District Investment Summit’

At the ‘District Investment Summit-2025’ held in Gadchiroli, memorandums of understanding were signed with 12 companies. Through these agreements, investments worth ₹17,431 crore and around 1.44 lakh employment opportunities are expected to be created.

Commitment to Make Mumbai and MMR a Global Financial Centre

Mumbai is the country’s “growth engine,” and the government’s goal is to transform the entire Mumbai Metropolitan Region into a globally competitive economic zone.

According to the roadmap provided by NITI Aayog, the state government is working rapidly to double Mumbai’s GDP and make the city a “Global FinTech Capital.”

Infrastructure Projects Worth ₹4 Lakh Crore Gain Momentum

Infrastructure projects worth nearly ₹4 lakh crore are currently underway in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Shinde described projects such as the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Coastal Road, Bullet Train, Metro expansion, Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, Metro Line-3, and Vadhvan Port as game-changing initiatives for the state’s future.

Goal of a ‘60-Minute Mumbai’

To free citizens from traffic congestion, a multi-modal transport system is being developed. Shinde said the goal is to ensure that citizens can travel from one end of Mumbai to another within 60 minutes. A 337-km metro network is being developed across MMR, and Metro Lines 2B, 4, 5, 6, 7A, 9, and 12 are expected to transform urban transportation.

Satellite Cities to Become Self-Sufficient Economic Centres

Kalyan is being developed as a logistics hub, Dombivli as a knowledge and service-sector hub, Ambernath as an industrial and MSME hub, and Badlapur as a model for sustainable urban development. The government aims to transform satellite cities into self-sufficient economic centres equipped with jobs, industries, and modern facilities rather than just residential extensions.

Major Changes in Housing Sector

Keeping in mind the need for 12 lakh homes in Mumbai and 20 lakh homes in MMR, the government has introduced a new housing policy after 17 years. Under the concept of “My Home – My Right”, the target is to build 35 lakh homes for economically weaker and low-income groups by 2030.

Digital Housing Portal and Cluster Redevelopment

An AI-based centralized digital housing portal is being developed, integrating geo-tagging, land bank, MahaRERA, Mahabhulekh, and PM Gati Shakti. Priority is being given to cluster redevelopment and stalled redevelopment projects are being accelerated.

Special Campaign for a ‘Slum-Free’ Mumbai

Through the ‘HinduhRidaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Urban Public Welfare Campaign’, a large-scale drive is being undertaken to make Mumbai slum-free. Using Netram technology, satellite data, GIS mapping, and digital surveillance, new encroachments will be prevented. Shinde said the Dharavi redevelopment project will become one of the world’s largest modern redevelopment projects, and separate housing schemes will be implemented for eligible and ineligible residents.

Emphasis on Environment-Friendly Development

Strict environmental standards have been followed in projects such as the Samruddhi Expressway, Coastal Road, Mumbai-Pune Missing Link, and Thane-Borivali Tunnel.

Central Park and Namo Gardens

A 295-acre Central Park is being developed at Mahalaxmi Racecourse, which will become one of the country’s largest urban green spaces. A 25-acre ‘Namo Grand Central Park’ has been developed in Thane. Additionally, 394 ‘Namo Gardens’ are being established across the state.

Special Measures to Combat Climate Change

For flood control, storm water drainage systems, pumping stations, the iFLOWS system, dewatering pumps, and the Mithi River improvement project are being implemented. He said climate resilience has been integrated into every infrastructure project while also conserving mangroves and wetlands.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde presented Maharashtra’s vision for balanced and inclusive development. He said the government is working to connect remote regions like Gadchiroli with industries, jobs, roads, education, and modern facilities alongside economic centres like Mumbai. He emphasized that the government is committed to bringing every section of society into the mainstream through development and making Maharashtra a leading state in India’s progress.