Rural roads in Maharashtra get boost: Rs 6,429 crore sanctioned under CM Gram Sadak Yojana phase-3

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. File Pic

The Maharashtra Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Tuesday approved a series of major decisions spanning rural roads, infrastructure development, higher education, and welfare corporation staffing.

Rs 6,429 crore approved for Phase-3 of Gram Sadak Yojana

The Maharashtra Cabinet approved Rs 6,429 crore for the third phase of the Mukhyamantri Gram Sadak Yojana to strengthen rural connectivity across the state. The project will be supported by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and will cover approximately 3,500 km of roads and bridges.

Under the funding structure, AIIB will provide a loan of around USD 500 million (Rs 4,500 crore), while the state will contribute a 30 per cent share of USD 215 million (Rs 1,929 crore). The repayment period will be 25 years, including a five-year grace period.

The project also includes upgrading rural and district roads, with a separate provision for 2,500 km of road works to be undertaken through state funds.

Officials said the initiative will significantly improve rural connectivity, boosting agriculture, healthcare access, education, and market linkages.

Major road upgrade project cleared with AIIB and NDB support

The Cabinet also approved the Maharashtra Road Improvement Project with funding support from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the New Development Bank (NDB), each contributing USD 1 billion in two phases.

The three-year project will upgrade roads as per Indian Roads Congress (IRC) standards, with priority given to high-traffic "growth corridors" carrying heavy commercial vehicle movement.

In the first phase, around 750 km of roads will be upgraded by the Public Works Department through EPC-based tendering, while a similar scale of work will be taken up under NDB funding.

The total estimated cost per phase stands at Rs 12,442 crore, including external assistance and state contribution.

The project aims to enhance road safety, reduce logistics costs, and improve connectivity across key industrial and agricultural zones.

Five colleges added to Hyderabad Collegiate Group University

The Maharashtra Cabinet approved the expansion of the Hyderabad (Sind) National Collegiate Group University by including five additional institutions in Mumbai.

The new additions include leading colleges in pharmacy, law, commerce, science, and engineering, such as KM Kundnani College of Pharmacy, Kishinchand Chellaram Law College, Smt. Mithi Bai Motiram Kundnani College of Commerce and Economics, RD and SH National Science College, and Thadomal Shahani Engineering College.

The move aims to strengthen the integrated university structure and improve access to quality higher education.

Posts sanctioned for three economic development corporations

The Maharashtra government also approved staffing and structural support for three economic development corporations dedicated to community welfare initiatives.

These include the Parshuram Economic Development Corporation, Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap Economic Development Corporation, and Shri Vasavi Kanyaka Economic Development Corporation.

Each corporation will have sanctioned posts, including administrative and financial roles, with a combined annual expenditure of Rs 1.18 crore.

The Maharashtra Cabinet also approved amendments allowing these bodies to function as Section 8 companies under the Companies Act, 2013, operating with government guarantees but without equity participation.

Officials said the move will improve the implementation of welfare schemes and ensure better outreach to beneficiaries across the state.