Mumbai, Aug 26 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday emphasised that the state continues to be the primary “growth engine” of India’s economy, noting that while large enterprises often dominate headlines, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector forms its backbone by manufacturing essential components, supplying spare parts and generating local employment.

He said the MSME sector plays a critical role in the automobile and engineering ecosystems of Pune and adjoining areas, providing localised alternatives to imports and powering the vision of going from “Local to Global.”

Fadnavis spoke at the signing of MoUs with 49 MSMEs for the Chakan‑Bhosri industrial hub in the Pune region. He announced that fresh investment worth Rs 2,320.97 crore will boost the state’s economy, increase production capacity, create thousands of jobs and strengthen Pune’s industrial ecosystem.

To ensure structured development, the Chief Minister said the government has launched a comprehensive “MSME Census” to collect precise data on the size, operational scale, employment figures, and infrastructure needs of small businesses across Maharashtra.

He assured rapid execution for all 49 units, unlike conventional agreements that face delays.

“The signing enterprises are targeting operational start dates within one to two years. Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation and the Industries Department have been instructed to expedite land allocation and basic utility delivery,” he said.

According to Fadnavis, outdated industrial zones (30–40 years old) will be modernised into autonomous “Industrial Cities.” The pilot initiative will begin in Pune district, using locally collected taxes directly for regional administration, cleanliness and infrastructure upkeep.

Industries Minister Uday Samant dismissed rumours of industrial units relocating outside the state, reassuring investors that Maharashtra’s industrial climate remains unmatched.

“Not a single industrialist from the Chakan‑Bhosri belt or anywhere in Maharashtra has moved their operations elsewhere,” he said, adding that investor confidence remains strong and demand for land in the Chakan belt reflects robust momentum.

The signing of MoUs comes days after industrial units from Chakan voiced concerns over poor road conditions, waste management, inadequate power substations, missing streetlights and lack of truck terminals. They also highlighted mismatched road planning, where 70‑metre‑wide MIDC roads narrow into 8‑metre approach roads, causing daily traffic gridlock. Some units threatened to move out if authorities did not address their grievances.

Following the backlash, Fadnavis announced a 14-member committee headed by the Pune District Collector and Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissioner to oversee time-bound development and grievance redressal. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde subsequently visited the Chakan industrial area and supervised road repair works.

–IANS

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