Urban Development Plan Must Envision the Next 50 Years – CM Devendra Fadnavis

CM Stresses on Integrated Themes, Long-Term Planning and Effective Use of Funds; Discussion Held on Maharashtra Urban Infrastructure Fund (MUINFRA)

Mumbai, Aug 2025 : Use the principles of an integrated theme, long-term planning, and effective utilization of available funds for urban infrastructure development. Decisions for the future of cities must be taken today, keeping the next 50 years in mind while implementing projects, directed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He was speaking during a review meeting on the new financial framework prepared under the Maharashtra Urban Infrastructure Fund (MUINFRA) for urban infrastructure development across the state.

The meeting at Mantralaya focused on financial planning for infrastructure and civic projects in urban areas under MUINFRA.

Emphasizing the need to plan not just for today but also for future generations, CM Fadnavis said that projects related to essential civic amenities such as sewerage, drainage, solid waste management, and water supply must adopt a long-term perspective. He added that specific plans should be prepared for water supply, waste management, and transport, with emphasis on resource planning rather than just budget allocation. Where funding gaps exist, supplementary arrangements must be made to ensure project completion. Local bodies should be financially supported for infrastructure projects, and monitoring of created facilities is equally important, he stressed.

The Chief Minister noted that urban development is not merely about constructing buildings, but about fostering social and economic prosperity. Therefore, every project must be backed by farsighted vision and strong financial structures, he said.

The meeting was attended by Abed Khalil of the World Bank Task Force, Mitra Institute CEO Praveensingh Pardeshi, Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) O. P. Gupta, and Additional Chief Secretary (Urban Development) Aseem Gupta.

Under MUINFRA, a new funding structure has been created to provide long-term capital for building infrastructure and civic facilities in cities. Funds will also be raised from commercial markets through pool bonds and credit enhancement mechanisms. This will ensure more robust and sustainable financial planning for urban development projects, it was informed.