03 January,2026 05:57 PM IST | Sangli (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondent
CM Fadnavis said that his government’s approach to urban development is long-term and future-oriented. File Pic
Ahead of the Maharashtra local body elections, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday shared the state's vision for Sangli region and said that an airport, flood control and development was in the list, reported the PTI.
CM Fadnavis said that his government's approach to urban development is long-term and future-oriented, aimed at building modern and sustainable cities.
Addressing a public rally ahead of the January 15 elections to the 88-member Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad Municipal Corporation, CM Fadnavis appealed to voters to give the BJP-led alliance a clear majority to ensure continuity in development works, according to the PTI.
The Chief Minister said the government is committed to transforming Sangli into a clean and well-upgraded city. He announced that work on the pre-feasibility report for a proposed airport in Sangli is currently underway.
In addition, CM Fadnavis promised the development of a truck terminal in Sangli, aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving logistics infrastructure.
Highlighting Miraj's rich musical legacy, the Chief Minister announced plans for a music heritage park and a musical instrument museum in the city, intended to preserve and promote its cultural identity.
Fadnavis said the state government has decided to regularise encroachments, enabling slum dwellers to receive ownership rights as part of redevelopment projects. He said the move would provide long-term security and dignity to residents living in informal settlements.
Addressing recurring flood concerns, the Chief Minister said a flood diversion project for Sangli and Kolhapur is being planned. Under the proposal, excess floodwater will be diverted to drought-prone regions of western Maharashtra and Marathwada, helping mitigate floods while addressing water scarcity.
Meanwhile, Fadnavis on Friday asserted that only Marathi is compulsory in Maharashtra and no other language will be imposed.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 99th Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan (All-India Marathi literary meet) at Satara, he, however, also said it was wrong to oppose other Indian languages while rolling out the red carpet for foreign languages such as French and Spanish, as per the PTI.
Last year, the BJP-led government revoked its decision to introduce Hindi as a third language from the first standard in schools in Maharashtra following intense protests, and set up a committee to examine the issue.
The issue of language compulsion is being widely debated, Fadnavis noted in his speech.
"As chief minister, I want to clearly state that in Maharashtra, only Marathi is compulsory. No other language is compulsory. However, there were differing opinions regarding the three-language formula. Students have the freedom to learn any Indian language of their choice. The only question was from which standard the third language should be introduced," he said, the news agency reported.
(with PTI inputs)
