Maharashtra Cabinet Decisions

45,000 Government Housing Units for Police Officers and Personnel in Mumbai; Approval to Mumbai Police Housing Township

With a view to making around 40,000 to 45,000 government residential units available for police officers and personnel in Mumbai city and suburbs, approval was granted in today’s Cabinet meeting to implement the “Mumbai Police Housing Township Project.” The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. This project will be implemented through the State Infrastructure Development Corporation under the Public Works Department. Under this township project, development of around five crore square feet of area will be undertaken, with an estimated cost of about Rs 20,000 crore.

Thirty percent of the required funds for this township will be provided by the Government, while the remaining 70 percent will be raised by MSIDC as loans from various financial institutions with Government guarantee. Approval was also granted today to provide an initial fund of Rs 100 crore to the Corporation for preparing the technical and financial feasibility report and for initiating the project.

Considering Mumbai’s growing population and security requirements, there is a major need for well-equipped and modern colonies and residences for police officers and personnel. This will enable police officers and staff to perform their duties more promptly and efficiently.

The Mumbai Police force has a manpower strength of 51,308. The service quarters available with the police are housed in old and dilapidated British-era buildings. Out of the available 22,904 service residences, around 3,777 are unfit for use. In addition, every month around 400 to more than 500 officers and personnel apply for accommodation. Due to non-availability of residences, police officers and staff have to commute daily to their workplaces. Considering the nature of police duties, it is essential that they have residences close to their place of work. From this perspective, approval has been granted to the township project.

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Rs 4,775 Crore for Bembla River Project in Yavatmal; Irrigation for 58,768 Hectares, Rehabilitation of Dhamak in Amravati

Approval was granted in today’s Cabinet meeting to allocate Rs 4,775 crore for works related to the Bembla River Project in Yavatmal district. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

This project is constructed on the Bembla River near Khadaksawanga village in Babhulgaon taluka of Yavatmal district and falls under the Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation. The project is included in the general area of the Wardha sub-basin of the Godavari basin. It is covered under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchan Yojana and is regularly reviewed at the central level. In a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a detailed review of the project was conducted and directions were given to complete it within the stipulated timeframe.

Due to this project, irrigation benefits will be available to a total cultivable area of 58,768 hectares in five talukas of Yavatmal district: Ner, Babhulgaon, Kalamb, Ralegaon, and Maregaon. The issue of rehabilitation of Mouza Dhamak in Amravati district will also be resolved. Chief Minister Fadnavis had directed that model rehabilitation of this village be undertaken, for which Rs 89.32 crore will be made available.

Through this project, water will be available for irrigation, drinking water supply, and fisheries. Through canal distribution systems, lift irrigation (micro-irrigation), and closed pipeline distribution, irrigation capacity of 45,455 hectares through the right main canal and 6,968 hectares through the Dehni lift irrigation scheme will be created.

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Youth of the State to Get Global Employment Opportunities; Establishment of ‘MAHIMA’ Institution for Coordination of Overseas Employment

Approval was granted in today’s Cabinet meeting to establish and operationalize the Maharashtra Agency for Holistic International Mobility & Advancements (MAHIMA) for coordination and implementation related to employment opportunities in various countries worldwide. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Through this institution, youth in Maharashtra will be provided information about employment availability and opportunities in different countries.

In India’s population, the working-age group (18 to 45 years) constitutes about 60–65 percent. Providing employment opportunities to this group is a major challenge. Through the Skill Development, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Department, along with other departments, Maharashtra is at the forefront in supplying trained manpower to industrial establishments within the country and abroad.

Maharashtra has an extensive network of more than 1,000 education and training institutions across the public and private sectors. Lakhs of skilled workers are being trained in agriculture and allied sectors, industry, construction, health, hospitality, logistics, banking, and services.

Due to better employment opportunities and higher wages in developed countries compared to domestic wages, interest among Indian youth in international employment has increased over the past few years. The proportion of workers and students from Maharashtra in this trend is significant. States such as Kerala, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh have established apex institutions for effective coordination and implementation of overseas employment. On similar lines, approval has been granted to establish and operationalize MAHIMA.

About MAHIMA:
The institution will have a nine-member Board of Directors and an Advisory Council chaired by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Through MAHIMA, an ecosystem for overseas employment will be developed with the support of NSDC-International, various Government departments, skill universities, reputed educational institutions, skill and language training institutes, industry associations, and reputed recruiting agencies.

The headquarters will be in Mumbai, along with five divisional offices. Manpower will be recruited through deputation and outsourcing. A one-time share capital of Rs 2 crore will be provided. For the first three years, an estimated expenditure of around Rs 132 crore is expected for operation of the headquarters, divisional offices, and various training and counselling programmes.

Under the G2G framework, MAHIMA will obtain a Recruitment Agency (RA) licence from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, to supply skilled manpower as per demands from foreign governments. The institution will be able to utilize funds from budgetary grants as well as income from other sources such as CSR funds, voluntary donations, fees, and other sources.

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One More Year of Toll Concession on Atal Setu; Major Relief for Vehicle Owners

Approval was granted in today’s Cabinet meeting to continue the decision of providing a 50 percent toll concession for the use of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri–Nhava Sheva Atal Setu connecting Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Approval was also granted to include in the notification full toll exemption for electric motor cars and buses on Atal Setu. This will provide relief to electric vehicle users and other vehicle owners.

The State Cabinet had decided on January 4, 2024, to grant a 50 percent toll concession for the use of Atal Setu. Accordingly, approval has been granted to levy tolls from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026. Toll rates for one-way travel for other vehicles have also been fixed as follows:

Sr. No.	Type of Vehicle	Sewri to Gavan	Sewri to Shivajinagar	Shivajinagar to Gavan
1	Car, Jeep, Van, Light Motor Vehicle	Rs 250	Rs 200	Rs 50
2	Light Commercial Vehicle, Light Goods Vehicle, Mini Bus	Rs 400	Rs 320	Rs 80
3	Truck or Bus (2 axles)	Rs 830	Rs 655	Rs 170
4	Three-axle Commercial Vehicle	Rs 905	Rs 715	Rs 185
5	Heavy construction machinery, earthmoving machinery, multi-axle vehicles	Rs 1,300	Rs 1,030	Rs 270
6	Very heavy vehicles, vehicles with seven or more axles	Rs 1,500	Rs 1,255	Rs 325

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Land at Panvel for Headquarters of Annasaheb Patil Corporation

Approval was granted in today’s Cabinet meeting to allot land at Panvel (West) at a nominal rate of Re 1 per sq. m. as a special case for the headquarters of the Annasaheb Patil Economically Backward Development Corporation, Mumbai. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The Annasaheb Patil Economically Backward Development Corporation was established on November 27, 1998, under the Companies Act, 1956. Its objectives include providing self-employment opportunities to educated unemployed youth from economically backward sections, financial assistance for enterprises, and increasing participation of the Maratha community in industry and business.

At present, the Corporation’s headquarters is located on a rental basis near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. To enable more effective functioning, approval has been granted to allot a 6,000 sq. m. plot in Sector 16, Panvel (West), for the Corporation’s headquarters and a multipurpose building.

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Directorate of Economics and Statistics to Become Commissionerate; Approval to 1,901 Posts

Approval was granted in today’s Cabinet meeting to the staffing pattern of 1,901 posts of the Directorate of Economics and Statistics. Approval was also granted to rename the Directorate of Economics and Statistics as the Commissionerate of Economics and Statistics. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

As per instructions of the Finance Department, a review of the functioning and sanctioned posts of the Directorate was undertaken. Accordingly, approval was granted to a total staffing pattern of 1,901 posts, including 996 posts of the Directorate, 212 additional posts, 576 posts of District Planning Committees, 66 posts for the offices of Deputy Commissioners (Planning) in Divisional Commissioner offices, and 51 posts of Statutory Development Boards.

Approval was also granted to adjust 95 posts from the Human Development Programme to the Directorate, nine posts from the Pilgrimage Development Programme office to the office of the Deputy Commissioner (Planning), and three posts from the Naxal-Affected Special Action Plan cell to District Planning Committee offices.

Consequent to renaming the Directorate as the Commissionerate of Economics and Statistics, approval was also granted for corresponding changes in designations.

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Approval to Revised Financial Plan of Mumbai Urban Transport Project Phase-2

Approval was granted in today’s Cabinet meeting to the revised financial plan of Rs 8,087.11 crore for the Mumbai Urban Transport Project Phase-2 (MUTP-2). The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Originally, a project cost of Rs 5,300 crore for MUTP-2 was approved by the Government of Maharashtra and the Ministry of Railways. The project was divided into MUTP-2A and MUTP-2B. MUTP-2A was to be partially funded by the World Bank along with contributions from the State Government and the Ministry of Railways, while MUTP-2B was to be equally funded by the State Government and the Ministry of Railways. Approval has now been granted to the revised financial plan, subject to early commercial development of railway land at Bandra (East). Approval was also granted to the additional amount of Rs 646.95 crore provided by MMRDA towards the State Government’s share.

An amount of Rs 1,652.05 crore has been collected by the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation from surcharges on suburban railway tickets. This amount has been utilized for various projects under MUTP-2. Approval has been granted to adjust this amount as the State Government’s share in the project.

Funds generated from commercial development of railway land at Bandra (East) will be adjusted as per the revised financial plan. Any remaining funds will be used as the State Government’s share for MUTP Phase-3, 3A, and 3B projects. Approval was also granted to enter into MoUs among the Railway Board, State Government, Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation, and Railway Land Development Authority if required.

One-third of the funds from commercial development of railway land at Bandra (East) will be the State Government’s share and will be utilized exclusively for MUTP projects. Approval was granted to deposit this amount in the Urban Transport Fund under the Urban Development Department and to utilize it as required for MUTP projects.

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Land at Ulwe for Padmavati Devi Temple to Tirupati Devasthanam at Nominal Rate; Fees Waived

Approval was granted in today’s Cabinet meeting to allot land at the rate of Re 1 per sq. m. to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Board for construction of the Shri Padmavati Ammavari Temple. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

A decision was taken on February 29, 2024, to allot a 3.6-acre plot in Sector 12 of Ulwe Node for construction of the temple, and a Government Resolution was issued on March 12, 2024. Initially, pricing as per CIDCO’s Land Pricing and Disposal Policy, 2018 was stipulated. However, the Board requested allotment at Re 1 per sq. m., similar to land allotted for the Shri Venkateshwara Temple, along with waiver of ancillary charges. CIDCO passed a resolution and forwarded the proposal for Cabinet approval.

After discussion, approval was granted considering the religious significance of Shri Padmavati Ammavari, whose main temple is at Tiruchanur near Tirupati, and the presence of her temples in several cities across India. The temple is expected to promote tourism and social activities in the region.

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Approval to Payment Mechanism for 1,000 E-Buses for PMPML under PM–E Drive

Approval was granted in today’s Cabinet meeting to a system for direct debit mandate (DDM) to transfer monthly payments to companies operating 1,000 e-buses under the PM–E Drive scheme in the Pune Metropolitan Region. Payments will be debited directly from the accounts of Pune Municipal Corporation and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM–DRIVE) scheme, the Government of India is providing electric buses to cities with populations exceeding four lakh. Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) has requested 1,000 buses, including 200 nine-metre and 800 twelve-metre buses.

Monthly payments for operation, maintenance, and services will be made to the selected operator through an escrow account as per guidelines, requiring a Direct Debit Mandate from the State Government to the Reserve Bank of India. Similar systems have already been approved for 23 cities in the State.

If PMPML faces fund shortages, any amount debited from the State Consolidated Fund will be recovered from the State GST grants payable to the two municipal corporations. Steering and monitoring committees have also been approved.

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Multi-Modal Hub at Bapgaon for Fruit and Vegetable Exports; One Lakh Tonne Annual Capacity with World Bank Support

Approval was granted in today’s Cabinet meeting to provide 7 hectares 96.80 ares of land at Mouje Bapgaon (Taluka Bhiwandi), Thane district, to the State Agricultural Marketing Board for establishing a multi-modal hub and terminal market for fruit and vegetable exports. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The hub will be developed under the Balasaheb Thackeray Agriculture Business and Rural Transformation (SMART) Project, a joint initiative of the World Bank and the Government of Maharashtra, with an approved fund of Rs 98.66 crore. The land will be allotted free of cost under Class-II tenure. Facilities such as vapor heat treatment, irradiation plants, pack houses, and storage for fruits and vegetables will be developed. Irradiation processing will be undertaken for mangoes, spices, and animal feed.

The project will enable handling of one lakh tonnes of agricultural produce annually, benefiting farmers across Thane district and the State. It will promote exports, improve quality, reduce post-harvest losses, generate employment, and boost local businesses.

Team Maverick