Timely Progress of Marathwada in All Sectors is the Goal – Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar : Chief Minister Eknath Shinde affirmed that the government’s goal is to ensure the timely progress of Marathwada across all sectors, including agriculture, communication, employment generation through industrial development, and infrastructure development. He made these remarks during the Marathwada Mukti Sangram Day program today.

The main government event took place at the Marathwada Mukti Sangram Memorial at Siddharth Udyan. Chief Minister Shinde offered a wreath, saluted the martyrs, and hoisted the national flag. The police force presented arms in tribute to the martyrs, and the Chief Minister paid homage to the freedom fighters.

Salute to Martyrs and Freedom Fighters

After hoisting the flag, Chief Minister Shinde addressed the gathering. He began by paying tribute to the martyrs of the liberation struggle, acknowledging the contributions of leaders like Swami Ramanand Tirtha, Govindbhai Shroff, Digambarrao Bindu, Ravi Narayan Reddy, Devi Singh Chauhan, Bhausaheb Vaishampayan, Shankarsinh Naik, Vijayendra Kabra, and Balasaheb Paranjpe. He also remembered freedom fighters like Kashinath Kulkarni, Dagdabai Shelke, Vitthalrao Katkar, Harishchandra Jadhav, Janardhan Hortikar Guruji, Suryabhan Pawar, Vinayakrao Charthankar, and Vishwanathrao Katmeswarkar, who played significant roles in the Marathwada liberation struggle. The then Home Minister of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, initiated police action against the Nizam, which led to the successful integration of Hyderabad State into India.

100 Crore Fund for the Memorial

Chief Minister Shinde also mentioned that a fund of Rs 100 crore was allocated last year for the construction of a memorial in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to preserve the memory of the Marathwada freedom struggle. Additionally, Rs 2 crore was granted to each district from the district planning fund. Over the past two and a half years, concrete steps have been taken for the development of Marathwada, including the implementation of last year’s cabinet decisions.

A project report is being prepared for a Rs 15,000 crore scheme to divert river water flowing into the sea to the Godavari basin to eliminate drought in Marathwada. This includes projects such as the Damanganga (Ekdare) Godavari (Waghad) Interlinking Scheme, the Damanganga Vaitarna – Godavari (Kadava Dev River) Interlinking Scheme, and the Par-Godavari Interlinking Scheme. Additionally, the Rs 2,740 crore water supply scheme for Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city is under construction.

Development works are ongoing across Marathwada, with road works being accelerated. There are 44 road projects being implemented with the help of NABARD, and 1,030 km of roads are being improved under the Hybrid Annuity Scheme. 75 Gram Panchayat offices are under construction and will be connected through BharatNet. Infrastructure works in Marathwada’s cities have begun with all necessary approvals in place.

Industrial Investment for Development

Chief Minister Shinde also highlighted industrial development in the region. A Kirloskar-Toyota electric-hybrid car project with an investment of Rs 20,000 crore is being established in Auric City, Shendra, while an Ather Energy EV project with an investment of Rs 2,000 crore is coming up in Bidkin on 100 acres of land. To support industrial growth, the electricity tariff waiver for industries in Marathwada has been extended until March 2029. Additionally, the scholarship limit for higher education for minority students has been increased to Rs 50,000, benefiting many students in the region.

Support for Farmers and Women

Chief Minister Shinde announced that a subsidy of Rs 5,000 crore has been approved for cotton and soybean farmers, while 5000 crores have been allocated for other welfare schemes. Through the Chief Minister’s Annapurna Yojana, economically weaker families will receive free gas cylinders three times a year, benefiting many women in Marathwada. Furthermore, two installments have been deposited into the accounts of 1 crore 60 lakh sisters under the Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, with Rs 5,000 crore allocated for the scheme.

Senior citizens from Marathwada have registered for the Chief Minister’s Tirtha Darshan Yojana, and girls are benefiting from the state’s free education initiative for women.

Development of Communication Facilities

The region is now connected to the financial capital through the Jalna-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express. Additionally, a new 174 km railway line from Jalna to Jalgaon has been announced, significantly improving the connectivity of Jalna and Sillod. This development will enhance connectivity in Marathwada’s coastal areas, North Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, further boosting the region’s growth. With good rainfall this year, concerns about irrigation and drinking water have eased. The government remains firmly committed to supporting farmers. The land is characterized by the spiritual heritage of saints, hardworking youth, citizens who prioritize education, and resilient farmers overcoming crises, alongside growing industries. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde emphasized that the government’s goal is to ensure the timely progress of Marathwada in all sectors.

Opposition Leader of the Legislative Council Ambadas Danve, MPs Dr. Bhagwat Karad, Sandipan Bhumre, Kalyan Kale, along with MLAs Pradeep Jaiswal, Prashant Bamba, Sanjay Shirsat, Uday Singh Rajput, former MP Chandrakant Khaire, Additional Chief Secretary Vikas Kharge, Divisional Commissioner Dilip Gawde, Municipal Commissioner G. Srikanth, Collector Dilip Swamy, Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Parishad Vikas Meena, Special Inspector General of Police Virendra Mishra, Police Commissioner Praveen Pawar, Superintendent of Police Dr. Vinay Kumar Rathod, as well as freedom fighters, their families, and other dignitaries from various fields were present on this occasion.

Substantial Provision for the Development of Marathwada

• Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar – Sarvajna Ashtastabdi Marg, which connects 200 shrines along the banks of the Godavari, has been allocated Rs. 234 crores for development.
• Jalna – Rs. 25 crores have been allocated to establish a Silk Park and Training Center.
• Parbhani-Gangakhed – The Sant Janabai Pilgrimage Development Plan has been approved, with Rs. 50 crores sanctioned.
• Nanded District – The revised development plan for Shaktipeeth Srikshetra Mahurgad has been approved, with a total of Rs. 829 crores and 13 lakhs allocated for new and essential works.
• Hingoli District – Rs. 45 crores and 14 lakhs have been allocated for the second phase of the Srikshetra Aundha Nagnath Pilgrimage Development Plan.
• Beed District – Rs. 15 crores have been approved for the construction of a new workshop for minority students at ITI Parli Vaijnath.
• Dharashiv – Rs. 186 crores have been sanctioned for the development scheme at Sonari Bhairavanath Devasthan, Paranda.
• Latur District – Rs. 50 crores have been allocated for government residential schools for girls at Mauje Dhanegaon and Mauje Chachur.
• The total development works amount to Rs. 1,434 crores.

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation Works

At the event, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde conducted Bhoomipujan and dedicated several projects, including:

1. Inauguration of the Digital Dome Theater and Planetarium (Tarangan) at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Udyan.
2. Inauguration of the Prefabricated STP Project.
3. Inauguration of the Green Waste Processing Plant.
4. Bhoomipujan for the drainage channel in West Vidhan Sabha Constituency’s NO NETWORK area.
5. Foundation laying for the school and treatment research center for special children at N-12 CIDCO.
6. Bhoomipujan for setting up 14 smart signals at various city intersections.
7. Bhoomipujan for the overall development of the city cemetery.
8. Concreting of city roads under the Rs. 12 crore scheme – Bhoomipujan.
9. Foundation laying for the PM-e (Electric Bus) Service Depot under Smart City.
10. Inauguration of the digital technology-based Property Tax Control Room in the Property Tax Department.
11. Inauguration of Saksham Petroleum, a petrol pump operated by Divyangakshara.
12. Groundbreaking ceremony for the Mitmita municipal school building.
13. Inauguration of newly acquired jetting, vacuum, and sweeping machines.
14. Inauguration of the Integrated Traffic Management Project for smart digital bus services.
15. Inauguration of the Municipal Administrative Office, Zone No. 4.
16. Inauguration of synthetic turf at the Municipal School in Shastrinagar, Garkheda.