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According to senior officials present at a meeting, Devendra Fadnavis set a strict deadline of March 31, 2026, for the completion of all pending Amrut 2.0 projects in Maharashtra.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis (PTI File)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has come down heavily on the Urban Development Department for the sluggish pace of flagship projects under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0 (Amrut 2.0). Chairing a high-level review meeting at Sahyadri Guest House on Friday, Fadnavis expressed sharp displeasure at the lack of progress despite the Centre releasing nearly Rs 9,000 crore for the scheme. The Urban Development Department is currently overseen by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Notably, Shinde did not attend Friday’s meeting, which added to speculation about growing strains within the state’s top leadership. However, senior officials clarified to reporters that the Chief Minister’s criticism was directed at the bureaucracy for implementation delays, not at Shinde personally.
According to senior officials present at the meeting, Fadnavis set a strict deadline of March 31, 2026, for the completion of all pending Amrut 2.0 projects. “The pace of work is unacceptable. Citizens cannot wait indefinitely when funds are already available,” Fadnavis is learned to have told officials. He ordered that every project be executed in “mission mode” and directed officers to fast-track administrative approvals, land clearances, and coordination with municipal bodies. Launched by the Union Government in 2021, Amrut 2.0 is aimed at improving water supply, sanitation, green spaces, and urban lake revival in cities across India. Maharashtra was sanctioned more than Rs 9,000 crore under the scheme. Officials say only a fraction of projects have moved beyond the approval stage, triggering the Chief Minister’s frustration.
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While urban development dominated the discussion, the meeting — dubbed a ‘war room’ review by the CMO — also covered other priority sectors. Health infrastructure was a key focus. Fadnavis directed the Health Department to speed up the establishment of Health and Wellness Centres under the National Health Mission. He also instructed officials to carry out a manpower assessment for doctors, nurses, and paramedics to meet future demand. Nursing colleges, the CM emphasised, should only receive recognition after thorough checks of their infrastructure. “We cannot compromise on the quality of medical education or healthcare delivery,” he told health officials, according to those present. A new policy to expedite staffing in newly built centres is also under consideration.
Sources in Mantralaya say Fadnavis’s intervention reflects his growing impatience with slow-moving files, particularly on schemes that carry both financial weight and political visibility. With the clock ticking toward March 2026, the CM’s message to the bureaucracy was blunt: “delays will not be tolerated.” The Chief Minister is also believed to have conveyed to senior secretaries that Maharashtra must avoid the embarrassment of surrendering central funds due to non-utilisation. “These projects can transform urban life — better water supply, cleaner cities, restored lakes. The state cannot afford lethargy,” one official quoted him as saying.
Although Deputy CM Eknath Shinde heads the Urban Development Department, his absence from the crucial review meeting has drawn attention. While officials insist that the CM’s ire was not aimed at his deputy, political circles in Mumbai are reading it as a sign of underlying friction within the Mahayuti government. Both leaders, however, have publicly maintained that governance remains their priority.
With clear deadlines now set, officials in the Urban Development Department will have to show tangible progress within months. The coming weeks will be critical to see whether Fadnavis’ push translates into speedier on-ground execution of Amrut 2.0 projects and related urban upgrades.
We did try to reach out to Deputy CM Eknath Shinde regarding this issue but there was no reply as calls went unanswered.
About the Author
Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa…Read More
Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa… Read More
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