NITI Aayog Meeting: Shinde Requests Central Aid for Maharashtra's Infrastructure Projects and River Linking.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday appealed for central assistance for key infrastructure projects and river-linking initiatives in the state during a NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting in Delhi, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In his address, Shinde highlighted several major projects for which he is seeking central funding, including the Nashik-Pune and Chiplun-Karad rail lines, the Thane Metro, Mumbai's funnel zone development, and cluster redevelopment efforts. He emphasized that these projects are crucial for timely completion and for addressing infrastructure needs across Maharashtra.

Shinde also discussed ongoing welfare schemes and efforts to redevelop dilapidated buildings in Mumbai and other parts of the state, referring to these cluster redevelopment initiatives as Asia's largest brownfield project. This initiative aims to significantly improve living standards.

The Chief Minister specifically requested central funds to accelerate river-linking projects intended to alleviate drought conditions in the Marathwada region, which comprises eight districts. He stressed the importance of enhancing irrigation in the Konkan region to prevent rainwater from being lost to the sea and mentioned state plans to lift rainwater to the Godavari basin in Marathwada. Additionally, Shinde noted the need for Rs 14,040 crore to divert water from west-flowing rivers to the Godavari basin.

In the same meeting, Prime Minister Modi underscored the need for targeted poverty reduction efforts. He urged focusing on eradicating poverty at the individual level rather than solely through broad programs, emphasizing that such a focused approach would contribute to achieving a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) starting from the village level.

ET