Unlimited Investment Opportunities in Maharashtra Due to Infrastructure Development – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

‘Maharashtra’ is the Investment Magnet of the Nation

Mumbai, Oct 2025: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that extensive infrastructure development is underway across Maharashtra, and strategic reforms are being implemented to enable new industries to start operations smoothly and in less time. These efforts have created unlimited investment opportunities in the state, he noted, urging investors to invest more in Maharashtra — which has emerged as the ‘investment magnet’ of India.

CM Fadnavis was speaking during a meeting held at Sahyadri Guest House with the delegation of the 20-20 Investment Organization. The meeting was attended by Industries Minister Uday Samant, Minister of State for Industries Indranil Naik, and 20-20 Investment Organization Chairperson Vera Trojan.

The Chief Minister said that due to strategic reforms and large-scale infrastructure development, Maharashtra has become the ‘growth center’ of India. About 60% of the country’s total data capacity is located in Maharashtra. Mumbai, in addition to being India’s financial capital, is also the capital of entertainment and startups.

Water-Rich Maharashtra through ‘Jalyukt Shivar’

To make Maharashtra drought-free, the state government has implemented various schemes and initiatives. One of the major people-participatory programs — Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan — was launched to raise the groundwater level. Under the second phase of this initiative, around 20,000 villages in the state have become drought-free. The scheme not only ensured water sufficiency in villages but also increased prosperity among farmers. With the availability of irrigation water, farmers are now cultivating two crops a year instead of one, and horticulture production has increased, the Chief Minister said.

India’s Largest River-Linking Project

CM Fadnavis announced that work will soon begin on the Wainganga–Nalganga river-linking project — India’s largest such initiative. The feasibility study has been completed, and a detailed project report has been prepared. This 500-km-long river-linking project will make the Vidarbha region fertile and prosperous. Additionally, water flowing into the sea from the Western Ghats will be diverted to the Godavari basin through lift irrigation. This will help fill the water deficit in the basin, ensuring adequate supply for both agriculture and industries. Once completed, the entire state will become irrigated, he said.

Skill Development in Artificial Intelligence

Alongside industrial growth, the state government is working to develop a skilled workforce. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a massive Skill Development Programme is being implemented nationwide. Maharashtra has introduced AI-based training programs in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) to equip youth with future-ready skills. By imparting specialized training across emerging sectors, the state is generating employment in new fields, CM Fadnavis said.

Maharashtra is also creating large-scale job opportunities in the ports, shipbuilding, and logistics sectors. Through policy reforms, these sectors are being developed to generate maximum employment.

Women Empowerment Initiatives

Several innovative schemes like Drone Didi and Lakhpati Didi are being implemented for women’s empowerment. Women’s self-help groups have become a people’s movement, helping women achieve financial independence. Through the Drone Didi initiative, women are being trained to operate drones for agricultural spraying. Last year, 13 lakh women became Lakhpati Didis (earning over ₹1 lakh annually), and this year the number is expected to rise to 25 lakh.

Implementation of Housing Schemes

The government is constructing a large number of houses to provide homes to the homeless. Under various schemes, affordable housing is being provided, and by the end of next year, 4 million (40 lakh) houses will be completed. In addition, steps are being taken to ensure affordable housing in urban areas and to redevelop slum clusters. Mumbai’s Dharavi Redevelopment Project, one of the world’s largest slum redevelopment initiatives, has already commenced.

Focus on Quality Education

The state government is emphasizing quality education through over 1 lakh schools across Maharashtra. The New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, introduced by the Central Government, aims to equip students with the skills to face future challenges, adapt to new technologies, and compete globally. The Maharashtra government has also signed an MoU with Cambridge University to train teachers, CM Fadnavis said.

The meeting was attended by Praveen Pardeshi (CEO, MITRA), Kaustubh Dhavse (Investment Advisor to the CM), Abha Shukla (Additional Chief Secretary, Energy), O.P. Gupta (Additional Chief Secretary, Finance), Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee (Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA), Saurabh Vijay (Principal Secretary, Planning), P. Anbalagan (Secretary, Industries), Jaishree Bhoj (Secretary, Environment), and P. Velarasu (CEO, MIDC).