'Maharashtra infra got boost with upgradation of 6,000 km of roads through HAM'

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said the states infrastructure has got a significant boost with the Hybrid Annuity Model HAM phase1 project for the upgradation of 6000 km of roads at an investment of Rs 41730 crore reported news agency PTITaking to X the chief minister said With Rs 25875 crore financial closure and the incredible support of banks such as HUDCO IIFCL Canara Bank PNB UCO BOM NABFID PSB and SBICAPS paves the way for a stronger and more connected MaharashtraHe said the project has exceeded expectations achieving 5 per cent more progress in record time under the 100day programmeFadnavis further informed that infrastructure projects worth Rs 1 lakh crore were set to be completed this yearHis remarks have come a day after he chaired a review meeting of the Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation MSIDCThe chief minister said road development would be carried out only in places where it is required as part of the efforts to provide quality workPWD Minister Shivendrasinh Bhosale who was present at the meeting said the chief minister had laid down an ambitious programme of upgrading 5970 km of roads in 34 districts in 100 days and the target was achievedFadnavis calls for development of app to integrate all agricultural schemesMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday asked officials to develop a dedicated mobile application and a website to integrate all agricultural schemes reported PTIHe also directed that a scheme be formulated to promote agricultural startups and said Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates had expressed interest in collaborating in the sectorFadnavis and Gates met at the Sahyadri guest house in south Mumbai in the morningA comprehensive app and website should be developed to integrate all schemes of the Agriculture Department using AIbased technology The department should prioritise encouraging agricultural startups and fostering innovation Fadnavis said reported PTIHe was speaking at a meeting on crop insurance schemes and ecrop inspection a statement from the CMs Office saidFadnavis stressed the need for a singlewindow interface to help farmers access information about agriculture and advisory services He instructed the development of a farmercentric app and website ensuring the effective implementation of Agri Stack reported PTIAgri Stack is the digital foundation being set up by the government to make it easier to bring various stakeholders together to improve agriculture in India and enable better outcomes and results for the farmers by using data and digital servicesThe CM directed the integration of central and state government schemes improving their implementationHe also underscored the need to implement a specialised system for Maharashtra to ensure transparent seed sales and distribution through the SAATHI Seed Traceability Authentication and Holistic Inventory portal reported PTIFadnavis advocated the use of AI in agriculture for soil analysis pest and disease management supply chain development and weather forecasting said the releaseThe chief minister also emphasised the importance of gaining knowledge from the private sector for agricultural research and promoting skillbased education in the sector it addedWith inputs from PTI