Urban Development Is the Engine of Growth – CM Devendra Fadnavis

CM Emphasizes Holistic City Development at Workshop for Municipal Commissioners and Officers

CM Outlines Vision for Urban Growth

Pune : Describing urban development as the engine driving growth, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said both the central and state governments have prioritized city development. Over the past decade, significant investments have been made in urban infrastructure. The state government will extend full cooperation to local self-governments to resolve urban issues and provide better facilities if they implement effective development schemes, Fadnavis stated.

He was speaking at a workshop organized by the Urban Development Department for Municipal Commissioners and Chief Officers of Municipal Councils at YASHADA. Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde, Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal, Additional Chief Secretary Asimkumar Gupta, and Principal Secretary Dr. K.H. Govindraj were present.

Fadnavis noted that Maharashtra ranks second in the country in terms of urban population. Urbanization is driven by the need for education, healthcare, employment, and recreation. However, he stressed that lack of proper planning has led to urban issues. With 60 million people living across 450 towns, beautifying cities could improve the quality of life for nearly 50% of the population.

Focus on Health and Education

The CM emphasized strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure in cities and implementing schemes from both the state and central governments. Municipal schools must strive to offer quality education to children from underprivileged backgrounds. Timely completion of water supply and sewage treatment projects is crucial. Efficient distribution systems and metering must be prioritized. The state will support such citizen-centric initiatives, he said.

Driving Economic Development in Cities

Fadnavis pointed out that massive funds have already been allocated for urban development. He urged civic bodies to adopt innovative approaches in service delivery and explore new funding sources, while also improving tax collection. If economic growth is stimulated, citizens will be more willing to pay taxes, and private sector funding for good projects will also become accessible. He called for sustainable urban planning to shape well-designed cities with planned roads and infrastructure.

The CM praised the successful implementation of the earlier 100-day urban governance plan and said a new 150-day program would focus on e-governance and human resource development. Government support will continue, and by leveraging technology and administrative reforms, cities can become more efficient.

He stressed the need to utilize available funds effectively and ensure timely spending using digital systems. Monitoring work through technology can help maintain quality and accelerate development under the “Viksit Maharashtra 2047” vision. He welcomed suggestions from all stakeholders.

Government Committed to Beautiful, Well-Planned Cities – Dy. CM Eknath Shinde

Deputy CM Eknath Shinde said workshops like this help understand the challenges of urban local bodies. Municipal Corporations and Councils play a key role in state development. Equitable development of all cities will remove regional imbalances, and resolving urban issues must be prioritized, especially with over 50 million people living in urban areas.

He advised municipal bodies to work with clear goals and adopt artificial intelligence in governance. Focus must also be placed on group housing to prevent future slum formation. Emphasis should be laid on field visits to major projects to ensure quality. Granting rightful homes to citizens can lead to more beautiful and well-planned cities. Shinde stressed vigilance against encroachments and the need for wastewater recycling, waste-to-energy projects, and efficient public transport to enhance urban aesthetics.

The state government has previously launched people-centric programs like “Shasan Aplya Dari” (Government at Your Doorstep). He reiterated the need to act faster in fulfilling public expectations. The 100-day action plan focused on investment, field visits, sanitation, and administrative reform. The new 150-day plan will build on this momentum, he said. As Maharashtra progresses in all sectors, urban development must be a key part of it, he added.

Let’s Work Together to Beautify Our Cities – Minister Madhuri Misal

Minister of State Madhuri Misal highlighted the need for effective measures to tackle urban challenges. Illegal constructions make cities unsightly, and strict enforcement of government regulations is necessary. Coordination with elected representatives and discussions around improvements under the PM Awas Yojana were also recommended. She called on all stakeholders to collectively strive for urban beautification.

Senior Officials Call for Innovation and Commitment

Additional Chief Secretary Asimkumar Gupta urged urban local bodies to utilize e-governance under the 150-day program to realize the vision of a developed India. He emphasized the need to explore new revenue sources and modernize work practices. He encouraged commissioners to make the most of their tenure to focus on city development.

Principal Secretary Dr. K.H. Govindraj provided an overview of the workshop, stating that discussions would focus on quality of work, securing more central funds, adopting new technologies, and accelerating project execution. Delivering basic services with positivity and capability is essential, he concluded.