Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Friday that technology is the key pillar of development, especially as the state government aims to achieve a $1 trillion economy.
He stated that Maharashtra, due to various state government policies, is leading the country’s startup and technology sectors. He added that special efforts are being made to accelerate growth in the fintech and AI sectors.
Speaking at the launch of Mumbai Tech Week 2025, CM Fadnavis outlined Maharashtra’s future development roadmap, emphasizing the state’s technology and infrastructure projects.
He highlighted that the decision-making process for projects has been expedited through the war room.
“Previously, starting a project in Mumbai required approvals from 18 different government agencies, causing significant delays. With the war room, all relevant officials are brought together in one place, enabling immediate decision-making. This has helped accelerate projects such as the Metro, Coastal Road, and Atal Setu,” he explained.
CM Fadnavis also stated that the Maharashtra government will focus on three major infrastructure projects over the next five years, including the Vadhvan Port project, which is expected to significantly impact Mumbai’s economy.
“Vadhvan Port will be three times larger than the existing JNPT and, with its 20-meter deep port, will be able to accommodate the world’s largest ships. This will strengthen India’s position in global maritime trade,” he added.
Additionally, he mentioned that the government is prioritizing the construction of Navi Mumbai International Airport and a new smart city.
“Once completed, the airport will spur the development of a new commercial and technology hub. These new cities will be three times larger than Mumbai and will provide significant opportunities for industries,” he said.
The chief minister also spoke about the river-linking project, which aims to provide a permanent water supply to drought-affected areas in Vidarbha and Marathwada. He emphasized that these projects would benefit thousands of farmers and boost agricultural production.
On cybersecurity, CM Fadnavis warned that crime is increasingly shifting to the digital world.
“In the future, 70 percent of crimes will be cyber-related. To address this, the most advanced cyber security center in India has been set up in Navi Mumbai. With all banks and social media platforms connected to this system, immediate action can be taken against financial fraud,” he stated.
CM Fadnavis noted that Maharashtra experienced a decline in technology sector investments between 2000 and 2014, leading many IT companies to relocate to Bengaluru and Hyderabad. However, with projects like Atal Setu, Navi Mumbai is emerging as a new technology hub, attracting startups and technology companies in a significant way.
Discussing Mumbai’s future development, he said that due to the shortage of commercial space in the city, new urban centers will be established in Navi Mumbai, Naveen Thane, and Vadhvan Port. This expansion will create more space for industries and ease the burden on Mumbai.
Meanwhile, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Additionally, the Department of Information Technology signed an MoU with Meta for the Aaple Sarkar WhatsApp Chatbot. Another MoU was inked between the Department of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation and TEAM for the Knowledge AI Hub.
It was also announced that an Entrepreneur Museum would be established to promote entrepreneurship.
IANS
