Nashik, Sambhajinagar are Centre’s new growth hubs

Nashik: Nashik and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar have been included in the Centre's proposed economic growth hubs, marking a significant push toward decentralised development in Maharashtra.Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, while presenting the state budget for 2026-27 on Friday, said the Union govt, through NITI Aayog, is preparing a detailed roadmap to accelerate economic expansion in select regions across the country. Development plans for the "Pune, Nashik, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Growth Hub Project" will be prepared by the NITI Aayog in line with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region model to ensure integrated and long-term planning.A senior state official told TOI that a workshop involving NITI Aayog and top administrative authorities will be held next week to finalize the contours of the proposed growth centres. "The initiative is expected to emphasise large-scale infrastructure upgrades, industrial cluster development, incentives for existing and upcoming units, skill enhancement, and improved connectivity within the region," the official said.The initiative is part of the Centre's strategy to strengthen economic activity in tier-2 cities such as Nashik and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, enabling them to attract investment, generate employment, and build competitive regional economies.Experts believe Nashik's inclusion in the proposed growth hubs will amplify industrial momentum, boost investor confidence, and reinforce the city's position as an emerging growth corridor.In Nashik, the 65-km outer ring road project being implemented by the Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation for Rs 7,613.47 crore is expected to anchor much of the region's future development. The state will fund land acquisition, while the Centre will finance the construction component, with the project targeted for completion by March 2027 ahead of the Kumbh Mela.