Mumbai, June 25 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure on Thursday approved two key projects that are expected to significantly enhance connectivity and strengthen public transport infrastructure in the state.

The projects include a 3.55-km connector linking the Swatantryaveer Savarkar Sea Link to Bandra Fort and an elevated metro rail extension from Kanhan River to Kanhan City under Nagpur Metro Rail Phase-2.

Chief Minister Fadnavis said the committee had approved the construction of the 3.55-km connector linking the Swatantryaveer Savarkar Sea Link to Bandra Fort. The Rs 1,722.40-crore project, to be executed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), is expected to reduce travel time from the current 20–45 minutes to just 10 minutes, ensuring faster and more efficient connectivity for commuters.

The Chief Minister further stated that the committee had also approved the extension of the elevated metro rail line from Kanhan River to Kanhan City under Nagpur Metro Rail Phase-2, further strengthening public transport in Nagpur district. The 1.40-km extension, featuring one elevated station, will be implemented by Maha-Metro at a cost of Rs 310.35 crore after receiving approval from the Central government.

“These projects reflect the Maharashtra government’s commitment to building world-class infrastructure and creating faster, safer and more efficient transport networks for its people. DCM Eknath Shinde, DCM Sunetratai Pawar, Minister Shivendrasinh Raje Bhonsle and senior officials were present,” he said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, Information Technology Minister Ashish Shelar told the state Assembly on Thursday that the government was fully prepared to approve a revised proposal to extend the runway at Morwa Airport in Chandrapur from 950 metres to 1,800 metres, provided a commercially viable plan and the necessary technical clearances were obtained.

Replying to a half-hour discussion initiated by MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar, the Minister clarified the government’s position on regional connectivity and the specific challenges surrounding the Chandrapur expansion.

Minister Shelar said the existing 950-metre runway was inadequate for commercial flight operations and lacked night-landing facilities. Previous attempts to extend the runway had stalled because of several complex constraints, including the proximity of the local thermal power plant, natural topographical obstructions in the surrounding area and stringent technical requirements.

However, he emphasised that if a fresh design aligned with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) guidelines — taking into account orientation, width, length and geographical conditions — the state would extend full cooperation. He added that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was strongly committed to boosting airport connectivity across Maharashtra.

To improve regional connectivity under the Central government’s UDAN scheme, the Minister said airport and runway development works were underway in several cities, including Amravati, Gondia, Nashik, Jalgaon, Nanded, Solapur, Kolhapur, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. He added that a development proposal for Akola Airport had already been forwarded to the Centre.

Highlighting Chandrapur’s strategic importance, Minister Shelar said a fully functional commercial airport would provide a major boost to wildlife tourism at the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. It would facilitate easier travel for domestic and international tourists, researchers and scholars, thereby generating employment and supporting local economic growth.

The Minister also announced that a joint high-level meeting would be convened immediately after the conclusion of the ongoing Assembly session. The meeting would include officials from the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC), the district administration, the Finance Department and local public representatives to determine the next course of action.

–IANS

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