Devendra Fadnavis: The Man Who Made Maharashtra No. 1

By Acharya Pawan Tripathi, In the political narrative of Maharashtra, names like Yashwantrao Chavan—who brought the symbolic ‘Mangal Kalash’ after the Samyukta Maharashtra movement—and Vasantrao Naik—the state’s longest-serving Chief Minister—hold a significant place. Yet, when it comes to ushering in all-round, state-wide development, no leader has left a more tangible and transformative mark than Devendra Fadnavis.

Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Fadnavis propelled Maharashtra into a new era of growth. Today, when global giants like Tesla enter the Indian market, it’s his image that headlines the celebration. Maharashtra, under his leadership, has become the top recipient of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country.

His tenure witnessed the revival and execution of projects stalled for decades. The Atal Setu, which connects Mumbai to Nhava Sheva, was first envisioned in 1964. It remained a pipe dream until Fadnavis ensured its approval, implementation, and inauguration nearly 60 years later. Likewise, the Mumbai Coastal Road—originally conceptualized in the 1950s—was stuck in bureaucratic limbo for decades. Fadnavis not only laid its foundation stone in his first term but also saw it through to completion.

The expansion of the Mumbai Metro network is another hallmark of his leadership. While previous regimes made slow progress, corridors such as Line 2A, Line 3, and Line 7 progressed from proposal to inauguration under Fadnavis. However, during the 2019–2022 period, the Uddhav Thackeray-led government stalled key developments citing land disputes. Once Fadnavis returned to power, these projects regained momentum. The Nagpur Metro, too, became operational under his watch, and metro networks have since been initiated in Thane and other urban centers.

Before Fadnavis, infrastructure development often fell victim to regional politics. Vidarbha, for instance, long felt neglected and even demanded separate statehood. Fadnavis answered with action, not rhetoric. He conceptualized and completed the 700-km Samruddhi Mahamarg (Prosperity Corridor), drastically reducing travel time between Nagpur and Mumbai and fostering a deeper sense of unity in the state.

The expressway is more than just a road—it is a symbol of inclusion, ambition, and decisive governance. Naxal-affected areas like Gadchiroli, too, found a place on the development map under his leadership.

Fadnavis also prioritized rural development with remarkable impact. Through the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, he connected nearly every village in the state with road networks. To combat chronic drought conditions, his government linked over 11,000 villages to the Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan, bringing water security to once-parched lands. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Shetkari Samman Yojana provided significant debt relief to distressed farmers, further reinforcing his commitment to agrarian welfare.

In alignment with Prime Minister Modi’s “Make in India” vision, Fadnavis launched “Make in Maharashtra,” drawing global giants like Foxconn. Although political instability during Uddhav Thackeray’s tenure cost the state key projects like Vedanta’s semiconductor plant, Fadnavis’s efforts laid the groundwork.

Initiatives like Magnetic Maharashtra brought in investment worth billions. On international platforms such as Davos, Fadnavis positioned Maharashtra as a premier investment destination with the finesse of a seasoned CEO. Cities like Pune, Thane, and Nagpur emerged as model smart cities under his leadership, while rural regions also saw substantial upliftment in living standards.

The people of Maharashtra gave Fadnavis a clear mandate—a mandate not just for leadership, but for delivery. They signaled a shift toward performance-based politics, where strategic decisions, inclusive growth, and futuristic planning take precedence over empty populism.

Today, Devendra Fadnavis stands as a transformative force in Maharashtra’s political and developmental journey—a leader who didn’t just promise change, but built it.