Aga Khan Agency for Habitat India Partners with MahaIT to Boost Climate Resilience in Maharashtra

The Aga Khan Agency for Habitat India (AKAH India) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Maharashtra Information Technology Corporation Limited (MahaIT) to expand climate resilience and habitat improvement initiatives across Maharashtra. The agreement was signed in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The partnership aims to support vulnerable communities facing rising risks from heat, drought, floods, and other climate-related challenges. Through the collaboration, both organizations plan to strengthen data-led and technology-backed approaches for climate-resilient habitats and community infrastructure.

Speaking during the event, Chief Minister Fadnavis stated that corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions in India amount to nearly INR 36,000 crore annually, with Maharashtra emerging as the largest contributor. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that these resources are distributed more effectively across districts through the use of technology-driven systems and governance frameworks.

During the opening remarks, Sanjay Shripatrao Katkar (IAS) said the Maharashtra government intends to act as a facilitator for the CSR ecosystem rather than a regulator. He added that MahaIT is developing a dedicated CSR platform that will provide visibility into onboarding processes, project execution, and compliance for corporates, donors, and implementing agencies.

AKAH India works on creating safer and climate-resilient habitats through disaster preparedness, climate adaptation, and community-focused development programs. MahaIT serves as the nodal agency for information and communication technology, e-governance, and digital governance initiatives for the Maharashtra government. The collaboration is expected to support more structured and risk-responsive planning models using data, digital tools, and climate-focused interventions.

Prerana Langa, Chief Executive Officer of AKAH India, said MahaIT’s expertise in implementing structured initiatives would help streamline large-scale execution through a collaborative framework. She noted that AKAH India’s ongoing heat mitigation projects in informal settlements, schools, and housing societies across Mira Bhayandar and Chandrapur have already shown measurable improvements in thermal comfort, with indoor temperatures reportedly reduced by up to 4–6 degrees Celsius in vulnerable communities.

Langa further stated that the partnership reflects the organization’s continued focus on urban habitat resilience, biodiversity preservation, and water security, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions. She added that women and children would remain central to the agency’s interventions in marginalized communities.

In the near term, both organizations are expected to explore joint initiatives around heat and flood mitigation, ecosystem-based climate adaptation, urban greening, and water and energy efficiency solutions in schools. The proposed initiatives may also include the use of IoT-based systems and smart technologies to improve monitoring and implementation.

The partnership will additionally focus on knowledge-sharing programs, pilot projects, proof-of-concept initiatives, training and awareness campaigns, research collaborations, and policy-level inputs. The organizations are also expected to work on co-designing digital public solutions and frameworks that can support climate adaptation and sustainable urban development in Maharashtra.

AKAH India has been involved in climate adaptation and disaster resilience programs in several vulnerable regions across India, particularly focusing on community-level infrastructure and risk reduction. The latest partnership with MahaIT reflects the increasing role of technology-led governance and collaborative planning in addressing urban climate challenges and strengthening long-term resilience strategies.