The Maharashtra government is set to acquire nearly 8,000 acres of land to establish new industrial units in the city, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Sunday. Speaking at an awards event hosted by the Chamber of Marathwada Industries and Agriculture (CMIA), the Chief Minister said the city is emerging as a key center for electric vehicle manufacturing in India.
“Demand for industrial space continues to grow, and we’re preparing to allocate 8,000 acres to support this momentum. Companies are showing strong interest in setting up operations here,” he said. Fadnavis also outlined plans for significant infrastructure upgrades, including a ring road to improve connectivity between industrial zones and a major flyover to ease urban traffic congestion. He added that funding will be secured for these developments.
To support skill development, the state will provide land for a dedicated training center. Additionally, the government is backing a floating solar energy project on the backwaters of Jayakwadi Dam to ensure access to affordable electricity.
Addressing the water crisis in the region, the Chief Minister detailed strategies to redirect 50 TMC of water that typically flows into the Arabian Sea, as well as an additional 80 TMC of floodwaters from Latur and Kolhapur, to drought-affected areas in Marathwada.
Fadnavis also announced a new highway project connecting the Samruddhi Expressway with the planned Vadhvan Port near Mumbai. The 109-kilometer access-controlled road from Nashik to the port will reduce travel time between Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and the port to about 6 to 8 hours.
“Once operational, the Vadhvan Port is expected to rank among the world’s top ten ports and will be a major economic boost for this region,” he said. CMIA president Arpit Save requested the establishment of an exhibition center in the city and assured full support in attracting major industrial projects to the DMIC node in Bidkin.
