Latest news with #MaharashtraInstitutionforTransformation
Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Coming soon, white paper on public transport in Mumbai
Mumbai: The Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA), functioning as a state govt advisor similar to NITI Aayog, is preparing to release a white paper addressing public transport buses, encompassing BEST and private bus aggregators in Mumbai. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The report will present recommendations to the state govt regarding the enhancement of BEST's financial status and operational efficiency in Mumbai, while improving services for passengers using premium aggregator buses such as Cityflo and inter-state buses. A meeting was convened by MITRA on Wednesday, with participation from CEO Pravin Pardeshi, BEST general manager SVR Srinivas, WRI India representatives, and various transport specialists and analysts. The discussions included proposals for BEST to utilise private school and corporate buses during their inactive periods for transporting passengers on shorter routes. This arrangement would provide additional income for private operators while helping BEST, whose fleet reached its lowest point in 15 years, to service feeder routes, particularly near railway and Metro stations with continuous passenger flow. Another proposal discussed at Wednesday's meeting involved developing space above BEST depots, allocating two floors for BEST offices whilst designating remaining floors for commercial use, ensuring steady revenue for the financially constrained organisation. This concept draws from Japanese cities where land resources generate supplementary income for public transport operations. A recent MITRA meeting also explored the possibility of allowing premium aggregator buses to park in designated areas within BEST depots. This arrangement would provide parking facilities for private operators to expand their fleet whilst generating revenue for BEST through substantial parking fees. The meeting suggested the development of underground and multi-deck parking facilities at BEST's 27 depots to increase capacity. All these will be part of the white paper being prepared in order to revive BEST, streamline private bus operations, and improve services for commuters for all categories of buses.
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Each district to emerge as a growth driver, CM Fadnavis at IIM
Nagpur: CM Devendra Fadnavis said that under the new district strategic plan, the state will focus on making every district a growth driver, which in turn will propel Maharashtra's economy. Inaugurating 'MahaStride' and a workshop for district collectors at IIM Nagpur on Saturday, Fadnavis said the project will help in optimising resources and making policies tailored to a specific region. Fadnavis said that Maharashtra's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) can increase by Rs35 lakh crore in the next five years, with MahaStride now in place. The MahaStride (Strengthening Institutional Capabilities in Districts for Enabling Growth) project focuses on improving how districts plan, execute, and monitor their development strategies, with the aim of generating economic opportunities, attracting investment, and improving public services. "At present, the district level GSDP is not 100% accurate, it's done by using various thumb rules. But thanks to MahaStride, we will get accurate data from district level," Fadnavis added. The total estimated cost of the MahaStride project is Rs2,232 crore, of which Rs1,562 crore will be funded through loans from the World Bank, while the remaining Rs670 crore will be provided by state govt. The project represents a strategic partnership between the state and global experts to support inclusive and sustainable growth in districts across Maharashtra. The CM said that Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (Mitra) chief, and former IAS officer Pravin Pardeshi had suggested putting a 'clock' in Mantralaya to measure where each district now stands. "This clock will show where the district must reach and where they stand at present. Unless there is accountability, there is no motivation to do things," said Fadnavis. Deputy CM Eknath Shinde said districts will reach their full potential with MahaStride. "Many districts lag in development standards, but now we will ensure that infrastructure is upgraded everywhere," said Shinde.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Maha govt to seek help of private companies to upgrade its ITIs
1 2 3 Nagpur: To address the growing demand for skilled manpower in emerging sectors like solar energy and electric vehicles, the Maharashtra govt has announced a new policy to upgrade its industrial training institutes (ITIs) through private partnerships. Speaking at a seminar, skill development minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha said the policy is aimed at transforming govt ITIs into world-class training centres with the active involvement of private industry. "The pace of industrial change is rapid, and new technologies require new skills. We want to equip our youth accordingly," he said. The minister revealed that the state has 418 govt-run ITIs and nearly 600 in the private sector. "Training must align with actual job market needs," Lodha added. "We've studied the gaps and launched this policy to overcome gaps by partnering with industry." Under the scheme, industries, industrial associations, PSUs, and NGOs can adopt ITIs. Tenure options include 10 years with Rs10 crore investment or 20 years with Rs20 crore. MITRA (Maharashtra Institution for Transformation) will act as the strategic partner for implementation. Lodha assured the govt's commitment to provide technically skilled young manpower through ITIs and urged private companies to come forward with confidence to partner in this modernisation effort. This initiative involves multiple stakeholders including Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skill University, Maharashtra State Skill Development Society, and others. Advantage Vidarbha's Ashish Kale expressed hope that the policy will meet the growing demand for skilled manpower driven by new industries in the Vidarbha region, supported by investments encouraged by leaders like chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Nitin Gadkari. Lodha also attended a job fair organised by RTMNU with the District Skill Development Center and Model Career Center, where 19 companies offered jobs to over 300 students. A student app was also launched to help youth access employment and training resources.
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Business Standard
05-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Choice Int'l arm secures Rs 63.47 cr govt projects in Maharashtra, Odisha
Choice Consultancy Services, an arm of Choice International, on Thursday said it has secured project management contracts worth Rs 63.47 crore across Maharashtra and Odisha. The company has been awarded a Rs 52.80 crore work order from the Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA) under the World Bank-backed MahaSTRIDE programme to set up District Strategic Units in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Division, the company said in a statement. In Odisha, the firm emerged as the top-ranked bidder for a Rs 10.67 crore project floated by the State Urban Development Agency to provide engineering consultancy in 58 urban local bodies, it added. "These project wins further validate our strategic direction and reinforce our positioning as a trusted execution partner in high-value public sector initiatives," Choice International's CEO and Executive Director, Arun Poddar, said.
