Amit Shah Critiques UPA for Neglecting Mumbai, Praises Mahayuti's Infrastructure Investments

Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised the previous UPA government for neglecting Mumbai, claiming the BJP-led Mahayuti government revitalised it with infrastructure projects worth over Rs 7 lakh crore. He highlighted investments in irrigation that helped curb farmer suicides in Maharashtra, a longstanding issue. Shah made these remarks at the inauguration of the new headquarters of the Maharashtra Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture.

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Shah expressed confidence that India will become the third-largest economy by 2026-27, attributing this to consistent development over the past 11 years. With municipal elections approaching in Mumbai, he recalled his past concerns about the city's challenges, such as overcrowding, deteriorating housing, slums, and traffic congestion. He praised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for addressing these issues and acknowledged Eknath Shinde's contributions during his tenure as deputy CM.

Infrastructure Projects and Economic Growth

The BJP leader outlined several major infrastructure projects initiated by the current government. These include a 337-km Metro network costing Rs 1.50 lakh crore, a Rs 1.08 lakh crore Bullet train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, an Rs 80,000 crore greenfield port at Wadhawan, a Rs 17,000 crore Atal Setu trans-harbour bridge, a Rs 55,000 crore Versova-Virar sea-link, and a Rs 60,000 crore Virar-Alibag multimodal corridor.

Shah questioned whether critics of the BJP's governance had the foresight to plan such projects. He suggested that if they had implemented similar initiatives earlier, Fadnavis would have had fewer challenges to tackle. He also addressed criticisms regarding slum rehabilitation projects but did not specify any particular project.

Addressing Criticism and Ensuring Fair Allocations

Responding to accusations of Maharashtra facing unfair treatment in central allocations, Shah stated that total devolutions and grant-in-aid to the state increased significantly to Rs 7.82 lakh crore between 2014 and 2024. This was a substantial rise compared to Rs 1.91 lakh crore during the UPA era from 2004 to 2014. Additional grants were also provided for irrigation and infrastructure projects.

Shah urged industry chambers like MACCIA to inform the government about challenges faced by their members for better policy outcomes. He recalled how lobby groups' suggestions for building the Konkan Railway spurred economic growth. He emphasised that global events like conflicts in Israel-Iran and Russia-Ukraine are impacting domestic economic activity.

Engaging Young Talent and Professional Bodies

Shah encouraged business chambers to engage professional bodies to remain relevant by adapting their operations as needed. He also advised MACCIA to introspect on its policies and consider ways to involve younger individuals in its activities. This approach could help ensure continued relevance and effectiveness in addressing contemporary challenges.

In his speech, Shah noted that when he entered politics, farmer suicides in Maharashtra were discussed globally. The BJP-led governments increased investment in irrigation, which helped end these tragedies in the state. Additionally, he mentioned projects like new airports at Shirdi and Sindhudurg district as examples of development beyond Mumbai.

The Union minister concluded by highlighting how symmetric development across India has been achieved under Narendra Modi's leadership at the Centre and Fadnavis-Shinde's governance in Maharashtra. This collaborative effort has been instrumental in transforming Mumbai's infrastructure landscape while addressing broader state issues.

With inputs from PTI