Fadnavis Seeks Nod For Global Funding For Maharashtra's Rural Roads, Coastal Protection And Industrial Infra In Key Delhi Meetings

In a series of high-level meetings in Delhi, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sought approvals and funding support from global financial institutions for several critical infrastructure and environmental projects in the state.

He met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to request clearance from the Ministry of Economic Affairs for external funding proposals of projects linked to rural connectivity, environmental sustainability, and industrial water reuse in the state.

Chief among these is a $1 billion proposal (approx. Rs 8,651 crore) to link villages with populations of 1,000 and above through all-weather concrete roads. Another project, seeking $500 million (Rs 4,326 crore), to mitigate rising sea levels through eco-based solutions.

A third, seeking $500 million, focuses on treating sewage in municipal areas and reusing it for industrial purposes.

The latter two are being routed through the World Bank, while assistance for the road initiative will be sought from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

During the discussion, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman commended Maharashtra for its robust economic management, and directed ministry officials to expedite approvals for all three proposals.

Also present were Finance Secretary Anuradha Thakur, Chief Economic Advisor Praveen Pardeshi, and Ashwini Bhide, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister.

In a separate meeting with Union Health Minister J P Nadda, Fadnavis discussed a proposed Rs 10,000 crore fertiliser plant in Nagpur district.

A collaboration between GAIL, the Fertilizer Department, and the Maharashtra government, the plant is projected to produce 12.7 lakh tonnes annually. Nadda instructed the preparation of a cabinet proposal to move the plan forward.

Further, the state has also submitted a $2.6 billion (Rs 22,490 crore) proposal to the Union Rural Development Ministry for constructing 14,000 km of rural roads.

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