Economic corridors and connectivity projects have always been planned by the state government keeping in mind the kalyan of the common man and the poor people. While inaugurating and laying the foundation stones of multiple projects worth around 7500 crore rupees at Shirdi in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, PM Modi reiterated the government’s mantra ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’, displaying a sense of confidence that Maharashtra’s developmental journey is focusing on this.
Maharashtra profited immensely from Radheshyam Mopalwar’s administrative acumen in the sphere of infrastructure development in the state. Mopalwar’s planning for any project always included the interests of the common man who happens to be the real protagonist in the growth story of Maharashtra. The concept of a war room in which Mopalwar is working as a DG Infrastructure Project is driven by the principle of extending maximum benefits to the poor section of the society. CM Shinde and Dy CM Fadnavis continue to monitor the review the projects with Mopalwar to ensure that people living on the margin of existence are not left out in any developmental project.
In what bears testimony to this, CM Shinde last month held a review meeting in the war room and issued a host of directives to the administration on completing various ongoing projects and working out solutions to obstacles if any. The War Room, with secretaries from several departments as members, has been set up by Shinde to regularly monitor the progress of infrastructure projects in Maharashtra. But Shine always insists that the focus should always be on how a project can benefit the lower stratum of society. Mopalwar’s planning goes on the lines of what Shinde wants in terms of the kalyan of the poor.
In fact, as MD of MSRDC, Radheshyam Mopalwar was known to be a master planner who takes care of the aspirations and needs of the rural population of the state. He never approved of any plan that bypasses rural pockets. He focused on massive coverage of the villages with the sole objective of sprucing up economic activities in the backward regions of the state. The 701-km Samruddhi Mahamarg that connects Mumbai to Nagpur passing through over ten districts including the interior regions is one of the examples that underline Mopalwar’s vision for including the rural population in every project. In an interview, Mopalwar himself said that expressways are not merely connectivity road networks but also economic corridors that help rural populations which include farmers and cultivators elevate their living standards.
The road network or any piece of infrastructure project must address the problems of livelihood being faced by the poor people in villages. CM Shinde’s concern has always been to see that the backward regions are developed in the state. This collective approach augurs well for the economy of the entire country, as PM Modi himself once pointed out that the dream of a developed Bharat will be realized only when states, districts and villages develop. So, Mopalwar’s far-sighted approach towards projects and CM Shinde’s focus on the components that lead to the flawless implementation of the project would together ensure the rural population benefited from the developmental works.
No doubt, Maharashtra’s growth journey will help shape India’s future as every member of a family must be self-sufficient and economically powerful to make the family happy and rich. So, Maharashtra’s War Room team led by DG Mopalwar is working in that direction. While working with MSRDC, Mopalwar, a 1995 batch IAS officer, played an instrumental role in planning and executing key projects which are today being applauded as marvellous pieces of work that benefit the poor population of the state directly. Some road network projects have spruced up tourism in Maharashtra’s various regions, thereby increasing the employment opportunities for the common man.
In 2015, the BJP-Shiv Sena coalition government announced and approved the construction of a greenfield expressway connecting the state capital, Mumbai, with Nagpur. Several backward regions on the way of this project underwent a sea change for the better. Mopalwar always kept the common man’s interests in mind when he chalked out the plan for the Samruddhi Mahamarg. The expressway connects economic hubs including the country’s largest container port, JNPT in Mumbai and a new airport coming up in Navi Mumbai. It is also set to provide access to several industrial and economic centres through 24 interchanges. With this kind of huge connectivity and accessibility, this will work wonders in terms of giving hope to the inhabitants of the backward areas of the state.
(Note: This article is written by the Brand Desk)