MUMBAI: The State government is seeking fresh funding from the Centre for projects vital to turning the hinterland into a logistics hub. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has shot off a letter to Union Minister for Railway and Coal Piyush Goyal demanding an urgent release of Maharashtra’s share — as much as 50% of the total costs of the connectivity projects.
Maharashtra has been making efforts for the same following the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). With over 60% of the hinterland already connected to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), the government is now looking to connect dry ports in Wardha, Nashik and Jalna with the rest of the State.
“I would request your intervention for expeditious implementation of the project through the Indian Port Railways Corporation Limited (IPRCL),” Mr. Fadnavis wrote in his letter on Friday.
The Chief Minister referred to the ministry’s promise on constructing a new rail line between Karad and Chiplun, and between Vaibhavwadi and Kolhapur, while demanding that the Centre provide its assistance at the earliest. “The development of these rail connectivity projects will provide the much needed direct cargo movements between the hinterland and the ports. This in turn, will be the impetus for the industrial development of the State,” Mr. Fadnavis said.
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