Maharashtra Budget 2025-26: ₹36,000 cr for women, Mumbai’s third airport, new ferries & more!

Maharashtra Finance Minister presented the state’s budget for 2025-26 on March 10, outlining ambitious plans to propel Maharashtra’s economy and infrastructure growth. With a vision to make Maharashtra a key player in India’s development by 2047, he highlighted the state’s leadership in foreign direct investment, citing MoUs worth ₹15.72 lakh crore signed in Davos, expected to create 16 lakh jobs.

Women’s Welfare

• ₹36,000 crore allocated for the Mazi Ladki Bahin Yojana.

• 2.53 crore women to continue receiving ₹1,500 per month.

• No immediate increase in payouts, ensuring financial stability, as clarified by the Chief Minister.

Infrastructure Development

• Mumbai’s third airport to be built near Vadhavan Port, Palghar.

• The airport will be connected to Samruddhi Mahamarg and the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train station.

• Navi Mumbai International Airport to commence domestic flights next month (85% of work completed).

• ₹64,000 crore allocated to reduce Mumbai’s traffic congestion.

• Shirdi Airport to soon have night landing facilities.

Industrial & Economic Boost

• New Industrial Policy targets ₹20 lakh crore in investments and aims to generate 50 lakh jobs.

• Motor tax increased by 1% on individual-owned non-transport four-wheeler CNG & LPG vehicles.

• Introduction of an Amnesty Scheme to settle tax arrears.

Maritime & Coastal Development

• Financial assistance for modern ferry boats on the Gateway of India-Mandwa-Elephanta Island route.

• Aims to replace aging wooden boats, enhancing passenger safety amid rising weekend ferry traffic.

• Cost concerns: Operators struggle to afford ₹7-8 crore catamarans without government support.

• Maharashtra’s water transport historically lacks subsidies, slowing the transition to a modern fleet.

• Floating jetty is to be constructed at Kashid (Raigad district) for better coastal connectivity.

• ₹8,400 crore infrastructure project, backed by external funding, to improve Maharashtra’s coastal districts.

Despite these ambitious plans, opposition leaders criticised the budget, alleging financial mismanagement and rising debt. However, Maharashtra’s projected 7.3% growth rate and rising per capita income signal a strong economic outlook for the state.