Maharashtra to soon become a trillion-dollar economy

Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari told the media that Maharashtra is set to become the first one trillion-dollar economy. He said Maharashtra had set an example before nations while combating the three waves of the Covid-19 pandemic in a well-planned manner. Maharashtra ranks second in the export preparedness index released by the Niti Aayog. Maharashtra also ranks second in the Good Governance Index report 2021. The government is implementing a comprehensive policy for electric vehicles (EVs). Compared to last year, the EV registrations in Maharashtra have increased by 157%. The state government has decided to give rebates in property tax to citizens and housing societies, which will start EV charging stations. To boost the use of eco-friendly natural gas, the value-added tax (VAT) on CNG has been reduced from 13.5% to 3%. Koshyari said that the government had planned a bulk drug park in Raigad district along the Delhi-Mumbai corridor, and it will be erected over an area of 2,500 acres of land. Developing a medical equipment park has also been planned at the Auric Smart City in Aurangabad across 350 acres of land. He added that the government is promoting waterways for passengers to reduce stress on roads and railway lines. Further, a water taxi service has been started from Belapur in Navi Mumbai to Mumbai, Elephanta and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT). The Metro projects are on the right pace to strengthen the public transportation system in Mumbai. The Mumbai Metro lines 2A and 7 phases are ongoing, and the work of 14 other Metro projects is going on at a greater pace. Koshyari highlighted the re-development of BDD Chawls and coastal roads in Mumbai, capacity building of the Mumbai-Pune express highway and others that have gained momentum. The construction of Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg is almost completed and will soon be operational for transportation. Till now, 4.75 lakh houses have been provided in rural areas under the Maha Aawas scheme. Maharashtra State Power Generation Company will set up 187 MW and 390 MW solar power projects to boost non-conventional power generation. Moreover, 99,852 solar agriculture pumps have been installed under the CM's Solar Agriculture Pump scheme. Koshyari said 43 Amrit cities in Maharashtra have participated in the race to zero to make them carbon neutral. The preservation of forts and ancient temples had been taken up, and the government has also decided to give land in Navi Mumbai for building Venkateshwara temple to Tirumala Tirupati Devsthanam. With the conservation of tigers in the state, the government is prioritising the creation of new conservation reserves and biodiversity heritage sites in Maharashtra. Image Source Also read: Maharashtra reviewing four bids in large coal import tender