Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar presented the state’s Budget for the 2025-26 financial year in the Assembly. The budget focused on economic growth, large-scale infrastructure development, job creation, and welfare schemes.
This marks Pawar’s 11th budget presentation as Finance Minister. He assured that the government would work towards fulfilling the expectations of the people and strengthening Maharashtra’s economy.
During his speech, Pawar expressed gratitude to the central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the relief measures announced in the Union Budget.
He stated that Maharashtra would take the lead in achieving the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047 and emphasised that the budget was designed to support rapid development across various sectors.
The budget included several major announcements aimed at boosting employment opportunities, improving road and metro networks, expanding industrial policies, and implementing welfare schemes for women and farmers.
The government has set ambitious targets to transform Maharashtra into a hub for economic growth and modern infrastructure.
One of the key highlights of the budget was the announcement of 50 lakh new jobs over the next five years. Pawar stated that the government would soon introduce the Industrial Policy 2025, which aims to attract ₹20 lakh crore in investments and generate large-scale employment.
A separate regional policy for the circular economy will also be developed, and new labour laws will be introduced to support businesses and workers.
Infrastructure development received significant attention, with the government announcing plans for a 1,500-km-long road network. Additionally, 7,000 km of existing roads will be upgraded to cement roads, ensuring better connectivity across the state.
Pawar also stated that 99 per cent of the Samruddhi Highway project has been completed, further enhancing Maharashtra’s transport network.
A major announcement was made regarding Vadhvan Port, a deep-sea port in the Palghar district. The state government will contribute 26 per cent of the total project cost.
Plans for a new airport near the port were also revealed, with operations expected to begin by 2030. This project aims to boost trade and create new employment opportunities.
The budget also focused on developing Mumbai as a global financial hub. Seven new commercial hubs will be created in the city to support business and economic activities. Additionally, a logistics policy has been formulated, dedicating 10,000 acres to logistics infrastructure.
This policy aims to create five lakh direct and indirect jobs, strengthening Maharashtra’s position as a key player in trade and commerce.
The government announced ₹15.65 lakh crore worth of investments across various sectors, expected to generate at least 16 lakh jobs. Pawar highlighted a seven-point action plan for the first 100 days, ensuring transparency in administration.
Government offices delivering exceptional performance will also be recognised and rewarded.
In a major push for agriculture, the budget introduced initiatives to promote artificial intelligence (AI) in farming. A pilot project covering one lakh acres and involving 50,000 farmers will be launched to enhance agricultural productivity through technology.
The budget also prioritised irrigation and water management. A ₹19,300 crore irrigation project will be implemented in the Tapi River Valley, focusing on water conservation and efficient resource distribution.
Additionally, water from the Konkan region will be redirected to drought-prone areas in Marathwada to address water scarcity issues.
The total expenditure for the 2025-26 budget has been set at ₹7.20 lakh crore. Estimated revenue receipts stand at ₹5,60,964 crore, while the revenue expenditure is projected at ₹6,06,855 crore.
The estimated revenue deficit amounts to ₹45,891 crore. The revised revenue estimates for the previous financial year have also increased, reflecting higher spending on capital and welfare schemes.
Metro expansion is another crucial component of the budget. Currently, 143.57 km of metro routes are operational in Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur, benefiting around 10 lakh daily commuters. In the coming year, 41.2 km of metro routes will be launched in Mumbai, and 23.2 km in Pune, totalling 64.4 km.
Over the next five years, the metro network will expand by 237.5 km. Phase 2 of the Nagpur Metro is also progressing, covering 43.80 km at an estimated cost of ₹6,708 crore.
The budget continued its focus on women’s welfare through schemes like Ladki Bahin Yojana. Around 2.53 crore women have already received financial assistance totalling ₹33,232 crore under this scheme.
For 2025-26, the allocation will be increased to ₹36,000 crore. Additionally, benefits under the Lek Ladki Yojana have reached 1.12 lakh women, further supporting financial independence and empowerment.
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