In a push to the mega infrastructure projects in Pune, Maharashtra government on Thursday assured it will give priority to the proposed new international airport at Purandar and expedite the completion of Pune Ring Road.
In the Budget tabled in the State Legislative Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the finance portfolio, said the planning for the new international airport at Purandar is underway.
The cost of building the Pune Ring Road, aimed at reducing traffic congestion, is estimated at Rs 27,000 crore. In the 2022-23 fiscal, Rs 1,000 crore were provided, and more funds will be made available for land acquisition this year.
“Sufficient funds will be made available for land acquisition and construction of missing links between Khopoli to Khandala on Mumbai Pune Expressway, which is 60 per cent complete,” he said. The state government will contribute 50 per cent of cost for new semi-high speed railway service between Nashik and Pune.
The state government will also provide Rs 50 crore toward setting up ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Theme Park’ in Shiv Shrushti at Ambegaon, which is being developed by the trust started by scholar Babasaheb Purandare.
Requisite funds will be provided for the Rs 270-crore memorial of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, ‘balidaan sthal’ at Tulapur and ‘samadhi sthal’ at Vadhu Budhruk in Pune’s Shirur taluka, Fadnavis said. “We are determined to build a memorial worthy of Maharaj’s gallantry by providing necessary funds,” he added.
India’s first girls’ school was started at Bhidewada, Ganjpeth, in Pune city, and a fund of Rs 50 crore will be provided to build the Gnyanjyoti Savitribai Phule National Memorial here, he added.
Based on the circular economy principle of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’, parks will be set up at six places including Pune. Fadnavis said the state government will also push ahead plans for the proposed leopard safari that is to be started at Shivneri in Junnar taluka, Pune district.
The state government is starting ‘Mission Lakshvedh’ to enhance performance of athletes, Fadnavis said, towards which a sports science centre will be developed at Balewadi in Pune.
The ancient Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga situated in Sahyadri mountain ranges on the banks of Bhima river will be developed along with other jyotirlingas, namely Trimbakeshwar in Nashik, Ghrishneshwar in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Aundha Nagnath in Hingoli and Vaijnath in Beed.
All five Jyotirlinga shrines and related areas will undergo development, along with conservation of ancient temples. A provision of Rs 300 crore is being proposed for these works.
