Nagpur District Dominates Maharashtra's Urban Infrastructure Funding
The Nagpur district has emerged as the biggest beneficiary in Maharashtra's latest urban infrastructure push. It secured nearly ₹72.4 crore from a total allocation of ₹381 crore approved by the state government. The Urban Development Department issued a government resolution on January 9, detailing the distribution of funds under the Centre's Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme for 2025–26.
Vidarbha's Share and Major Gainers
Nagpur's substantial share represents more than 85% of the ₹84.8 crore earmarked for the entire Vidarbha region. Three municipal councils within Nagpur district received the highest individual allocations:
- Narkhed municipal council got ₹29.87 crore
- Katol municipal council received ₹25.68 crore
- Mowad municipal council was allotted ₹16.83 crore
Across Maharashtra, projects in 15 municipal councils and nagar panchayats received clearance. Vidarbha's overall share amounts to roughly 22% of the total state allocation.
Project Details and Regional Distribution
The sanctioned works primarily focus on infrastructure development. They include construction of wide development plan roads ranging from 15 to 24 meters, cement concrete roads with integrated sewer lines, and connectivity corridors linking residential areas with MIDC zones.
Other Vidarbha districts received comparatively modest allocations:
- Yavatmal district was granted ₹10.4 crore, mainly for projects in Ghatanji municipal council involving weekly markets and commercial infrastructure.
- Gondia district received ₹14.92 crore for cement concrete roads, drainage works, gardens, and playgrounds within Gondia municipal council.
- Akola district's Balapur got ₹5.18 crore for developing a playground.
In contrast, Marathwada and western Maharashtra together command a significantly larger portion of the overall outlay. Districts like Nanded, Latur, Parbhani, and Hingoli in Marathwada feature multiple high-value projects including markets, commercial complexes, and extensive road works.
Tourist and urban centers in western Maharashtra also secured substantial funds. Lonavala received ₹6.9 crore for roads and civic amenities, while Mahabaleshwar got ₹64.6 crore for similar improvements.
Strict Implementation Guidelines
The government resolution imposes rigorous conditions on project execution. Local bodies bear complete responsibility for implementation, quality control, and maintenance of all works. The GR explicitly states that no additional funds will be provided if costs escalate during project execution.
Projects must not overlap with any other state or central schemes. The resolution mandates several compliance measures:
- Mandatory third-party technical audits at various stages
- Geo-tagged photographs documenting progress at different phases
- Timely submission of utilization certificates
These measures aim to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds for urban infrastructure development across Maharashtra.
