The Maharashtra government has approved several major infrastructure projects, including Metro Line-8 connecting Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports, during a meeting of the Cabinet Infrastructure Committee chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at Mantralaya. According to an official release, the committee cleared the 35-kilometre Metro Line-8 corridor linking Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport with the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport. The project is expected to significantly enhance airport connectivity and urban mobility across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The meeting also approved the implementation of the 66-kilometre Nashik City Ring Road through the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, as well as a revised alignment for a four-lane cement concrete highway from Navegaon Mor to Surjagad in Gadchiroli district to facilitate mineral transportation. Fadnavis directed that land acquisition and statutory approvals must be completed before the commencement of any infrastructure project. He further instructed that all projects should be completed within three years after land acquisition, warning that delays lead to cost escalation. He also called for faster execution of the Samruddhi Expressway extensions and proposed an incentive-penalty mechanism for contractors based on project timelines. The Chief Minister also emphasised the need to reserve space along the Gadchiroli highway for future gas pipeline infrastructure. Key project details Metro Line-8 (Mumbai–Navi Mumbai Airports) The 35-kilometre corridor will comprise a 9.25-kilometre underground section and a 24.64-kilometre elevated stretch, with 20 stations—six underground and 14 elevated. The underground section will run from CSMIA Terminal-2 to Ghatkopar (East), while the elevated section will extend from Govandi (West) to Navi Mumbai International Airport Terminal-2. The project will require land acquisition of about 30.7 hectares, with an estimated acquisition cost of Rs 3.88 billion. The total project cost is pegged at around Rs 228.62 billion. Nashik City Ring Road The 66.15-kilometre ring road project, planned in view of the upcoming Kumbh Mela, has an approved cost of about Rs 39.54 billion. Work orders will be issued after the acquisition of 50 per cent of the required land. Gadchiroli Mineral Transport Highway Approval has been granted for a revised alignment covering 85.76 kilometres along the Navegaon Mor–Konsari–Mulchera–Hedri–Surjagad route. The four-lane cement concrete highway is designed to strengthen mineral transportation in the region. Senior state officials, including Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and top executives from infrastructure agencies, attended the meeting, where detailed project presentations were made by officials from the Public Works Department and CIDCO. The approvals underline Maharashtra’s renewed focus on accelerating infrastructure development while ensuring timely execution and integrated planning.