Maharashtra Budget 2026-27: Focusing on Farmers, Heritage, and Major Infrastructure
Pune, 6th March 2026: Maharashtra Chief Minister and Finance Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday presented the state’s 2026-27 Budget in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, outlining a development roadmap based on four pillars—progressive growth, sustainability, inclusiveness, and good governance.
The budget places significant emphasis on Pune district, with announcements covering farmer relief measures, heritage conservation, irrigation projects, and large-scale transport infrastructure aimed at easing congestion in the rapidly growing urban region.
Loan Waiver Relief for Farmers
To provide financial relief to farmers, the government announced the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karjamafi Yojana. Under the scheme, eligible farmers with pending crop loans up to September 30, 2025, will receive a loan waiver of up to ₹2 lakh. Farmers who have regularly repaid their loans will also receive an incentive subsidy of ₹50,000.
The government also plans to strengthen the banking framework and take further steps based on recommendations of a committee working on long-term solutions to reduce farmers’ debt burden. Additionally, the Gopinath Munde Accident Assistance Scheme has been expanded to include farm labourers as beneficiaries.
To address water scarcity in drought-prone regions of Baramati and Purandar talukas, the state will implement the Nira–Karha river linking project, aimed at providing both drinking water and irrigation facilities.
Heritage and Religious Sites to Get Boost
The budget also prioritises the development of several historic and religious landmarks in Pune district. Funds will be allocated for development work in the Shivsrushti area in Ambegaon taluka. The memorial of Sambhaji Maharaj at Tulapur is scheduled for completion by June 2026, while the development of the samadhi site at Wadhu Budruk is targeted for completion by June 2027.
A separate conservation plan will also be prepared to preserve the ancestral house and birthplace of Tukaram Maharaj at Dehu. As part of a broader initiative to develop five Jyotirlinga pilgrimage centres in Maharashtra, funds will be allocated for infrastructure improvements at Bhimashankar Temple, including better facilities for devotees.
Major Transport Projects for Pune Region
To tackle increasing traffic congestion in the Pune metropolitan region, the budget proposes multiple railway, metro, and highway projects. A third and fourth railway line between Pune and Lonavala will be constructed at a cost of ₹5,100 crore, benefiting commuters in areas such as Pimpri-Chinchwad, Akurdi, and Talegaon.
The state has also set an ambitious target of expanding Maharashtra’s metro network to 1,200 kilometres, while developing over 6,000 kilometres of expressways. Under Pune Metro Phase 2, the government approved key routes, including Khadakwasla–Swargate–Hadapsar–Kharadi, with extensions from Hadapsar to Loni Kalbhor and from Hadapsar Bus Depot to Saswad Road. A new 11-km metro corridor from Ramwadi to Wagholi has also been approved.
Meanwhile, a 54-km twin underground metro corridor connecting Yerawada–Katraj and Hinjewadi–Sinhagad Road is currently under preparation at the detailed project report stage.
Expressways and Elevated Corridors Planned
Several major road projects were also announced for the region:
- Pune–Shirur elevated corridor (53 km) – ₹7,514 crore - Talegaon–Chakan elevated road (25 km) – ₹6,499 crore - Chakan–Shikrapur six-laning (28 km) – ₹5,232 crore - Shirur–Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar greenfield highway (192 km) – ₹14,886 crore - Hadapsar–Yavat six-laning (31.5 km) – ₹5,262 crore
Officials said these projects are expected to significantly improve regional connectivity, support industrial growth in the Pune belt, and reduce traffic congestion across key corridors in the district.
