Mumbai: Uday Samant, the Minister for Industry and Marathi Language, on Monday provided detailed insights into Maharashtra’s industrial development, investment inflows, job creation, and progress in the cooperative sector.
Samant stated that at the Davos Summit, Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 15.72 lakh crore were signed. Out of the total 46 MoUs, 15 entrepreneurs have already been allotted land, and land distribution is currently underway for seven projects.
The process of providing alternative land is ongoing for 20 projects, while four projects are in preliminary stages. According to Samant, work on all these fronts is actively progressing, and the promised investments are expected to materialize.
Major Local Investments
Comparing investments made by local entrepreneurs over the last two years, Samant noted that in 2024, entrepreneurs from Maharashtra committed Rs 96,681 crore towards expansion. For 2025, MoUs worth Rs 1,27,322 crore have already been signed. He said these investments will further strengthen the state’s industrial base.
Employment Generation Under Maha Yuti Government
Samant claimed that the Maha Yuti government has made a significantly greater contribution to the Chief Minister Employment Generation Scheme than the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government.
* In 2020–21, out of a target of 15,000, only 4,148 entrepreneurs were supported.
* In 2021–22, 5,053 entrepreneurs were assisted out of a 6,000 target.
However, under the Maha Yuti regime:
* 2022–23 saw the creation of 12,326 entrepreneurs
* 2023–24 added 19,800 entrepreneurs
* 2024–25 (as of now): 22,843 entrepreneurs out of the 25,000 target
In total, approximately 50,000 new entrepreneurs have been supported in the past three years.
Honey Village Scheme and Vishwakarma Yojana
Samant informed that in the first phase of the Honey Village Scheme, the initiative is being implemented in 10 villages with an expenditure of Rs 5 crore. The scheme is expected to generate rural employment through beekeeping and related activities.
Under the central government's Vishwakarma Yojana, loans have been disbursed to 30,650 beneficiaries in Maharashtra. Although applications for tailoring and carpentry trades have been temporarily suspended, loan distribution continues across other sectors.
* New Industrial Corridors and Infrastructure Projects
* Major industrial corridors are being developed:
* Satara: 3,500 acres allocated for an industrial corridor
* Konkan: 2,500 acres for industrial development
Regarding land acquisition, Samant said that for the Purandar international airport project in Pune district, the process will be expedited with active involvement of local communities. Land acquisition is also ongoing in Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, and Konkan.
Key Investment Projects
Several large-scale industrial projects are underway:
* Gadchiroli: Steel project investment of Rs 75,000 crore to Rs1 lakh crore
* Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar: Rs 56,000 crore investment (MG Motors, Kirloskar, and others)
* Pune : Rs 10,000 crore expansion by Mahindra
* Raigad: Rs 30,000 crore expansion by Reliance Industries
* Ratnagiri: VIT Semiconductor project worth Rs 19,000 crore; Anil Ambani’s Defence City project (Rs 10,000 crore); Nibe’s project (Rs 1,500 crore)
PM Mega Textile Park – Boost in Amravati
In an effort to attract more entrepreneurs, the state government has revised the land price for the PM Mega Textile Park in Amravati. The original price of Rs1,200 per square meter was considered too high. Based on industry feedback, the price has now been reduced to Rs 590 per square meter, which has already spurred increased investor interest.
Farmer-Centric Land Acquisition
Samant assured that all land acquisition for industrial projects would be conducted with the consent and trust of farmers. “No injustice will be done to farmers. All decisions will be taken in a coordinated and transparent manner,” he emphasized.
"Maharashtra will remain at the forefront of industrial development in the country, and the Maha Yuti government is committed to this cause. We are progressing with faith in data and action," Samant concluded while speaking to media.
