Women’s Empowerment, Health Facilities and Infrastructure Development Get Boost – Minister Meghna Sakore-Bordikar

Mumbai, March 2026: Significant provisions have been made in the State Budget for 2026–27 to promote women’s empowerment, public health facilities, clean energy, and infrastructure development. These decisions will accelerate the overall development of the state, said Minister of State for Public Health and Family Welfare, Water Supply and Sanitation, Energy, Women and Child Development, and Public Works (Public Undertakings), Meghna Sakore-Bordikar.

Under the Women and Child Development Department, substantial funds have been allocated for the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. Anganwadi workers will be given training in financial planning so that they can guide beneficiaries on financial literacy. A survey is currently underway in all districts to formulate a policy for single women in the state, and the policy will be announced based on the findings. Under the Lakhpati Didi campaign, 2.7 million women in the state have already become “Lakhpatis,” and a target has been set to help another 2.5 million women achieve the same status in 2026–27. Additionally, ‘UMED Malls’ will be set up in 13 districts to facilitate the sale of products made by women’s self-help groups.

In the public health sector, a decision has been taken to establish the Maharashtra Public Health Institute in Nagpur for high-level training and research. With assistance from the Asian Development Bank, a ₹4,500 crore development programme will be implemented in rural areas to diagnose diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart ailments. Through the Maharashtra Digital Health Technology Mission, a digital public health ecosystem will be created across the state. Under the Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, the number of treatment procedures has been increased from 1,356 to 2,399, while the number of hospitals has been expanded from 1,792 to 4,537.

In the energy sector, clean energy generation will be promoted by encouraging solar, wind, and green hydrogen projects. Funds have been allocated for schemes such as the Mukhyamantri Baliraja Free Electricity Scheme, Mukhyamantri Solar Agricultural Feeder Scheme 2.0, Solar Agricultural Pump on Demand Scheme, and the Pradhan Mantri Suryaghar Yojana.

Several important infrastructure projects have also been undertaken. To directly connect South Mumbai with the Samruddhi Expressway, work on the elevated road between Cheda Nagar and Anand Nagar, and Anand Nagar to Saket (Thane), is planned to be completed by December 2028. A project report is also being prepared for the elevated road from Saket to Amne. Additionally, all four phases of the ₹18,121 crore Swatantryaveer Savarkar Bandra–Versova Sea Bridge project are progressing, with completion targeted by May 2028.

Furthermore, approval has been granted for the revised alignment of the proposed Shaktipith Expressway between Pavnar in Wardha district and Patradevi in Sindhudurg district, specifically in Kolhapur and Sindhudurg districts. The land acquisition process for the project is currently in its final stage, Minister Sakore-Bordikar added.