Maharashtra’s Interim Budget: Ajit Pawar Stresses Capital Investment, Highlights Key Projects
Mumbai, 28th February 2024: Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar presented the interim budget in the Maharashtra legislature, emphasizing the substantial increase in capital investment to achieve a one trillion-dollar economy. The budget, covering the next four months, focuses on infrastructure projects, including the Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu (MTHL) and twin tunnels linking Orange Gate to Marine Drive.
Special mentions include Maharashtra Bhavan in Srinagar and Ayodhya, along with a Delhi-like Central Vista. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde welcomed the budget, mentioning the request to CM Yogi Adityanath for land in Ayodhya. Infrastructure projects such as the Veer Savarkar Versova-Bandra sea bridge extension to Palghar, the Vilasrao Deshmukh Eastern Freeway extension to Thane city, and allocations for the Virar-Alibaug multimodal corridor and Pune Ring Road were highlighted.
The budget also covers metro lines in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the construction of a jetty at Radio Club under the Sagar Mala scheme, and MoUs with 19 companies at the World Economic Forum, generating Rs3 lakh crore in investment and two lakh jobs. A Unity Mall tender in Navi Mumbai, a leather park in Deonar, and a Marathi Bhasha Bhavan in Girgaum are part of the plan.
Opposition leader Vijay Wadettiwar criticized the budget as “old wine in a new bottle,” claiming deception for farmers, unemployed individuals, and the middle class. He raised concerns about the fiscal deficit of Rs99,000 crore, suggesting the state is heading towards bankruptcy.
