Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadanavis has said 18 districts in Maharashtra are being solar electrified. The solar electrification of primary health centers in eight districts has been completed, and work in other 10 districts of the state is in progress.

The solar electrification initiative being carried  with the support of SELCO Foundation will be carried out in two phases. In the first phase, 250 primary health centers have been equipped with solar energy, and by June 2026, a total of 2,000 centers will be powered by solar energy.

The solar electrification of primary health centers in Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Jalgaon, Buldhana, Gadchiroli, Nagpur, Latur and Wardha has been completed. Additionally, ten more districts will soon have solar-powered primary health centers with the assistance of the Foundation, making them self-sufficient in energy.

For the project, SELCO Foundation and IKEA will provide financial assistance of Rs 50 crore to the state government. Additionally, healthcare personnel will receive training on the usage and maintenance of solar energy systems through SELCO Foundation.

“As conventional energy sources are limited, there is a growing need to focus on renewable energy sources. The government is committed to promoting the renewable energy sector and increasing energy production through sustainable means,” Fadnavis as he added that the use of solar energy will enhance the availability of quality healthcare services across the state.

According the CM, this initiative is expected to result in significant savings on electricity bills. Using solar energy will increase environmental awareness at the local level and improve the quality of patient care. The adoption of solar energy will reduce carbon emissions and help combat pollution.

Earlier, in collaboration with IKEA, SELCO Foundation successfully solar-electrified primary health centers in eight districts to improve healthcare services and promote sustainable energy solutions.

Construction of Shaktipeeth Highway
In another development Fadnavis said in the Legislative Council on Wednesday that that Shaktipeeth Highway is a very important project for the development of Maharashtra tourism, industry and trade.

“Just as Samruddhi Highway changed the standard of living of 12 districts , Shakti Peeth Highway will also bring about a major transformation. It will create an easy and fast transportation system in various parts of the state and give impetus to trade and industry. The highway will pass through 12 districts from Nagpur to Sindhudurg and connect important Shaktipeeths of Maharashtra. It will also boost the industrial and economic development of Marathwada, Vidarbha and Western Maharashtra," he said.

Fadnavis said that “many farmers in Kolhapur district have voluntarily shown their readiness to provide land for this highway. A memorandum from 1,000 farmers was received at Kolhapur Airport in which they have supported the highway. We will discuss to understand the difficulties of the farmers, we will try to solve their problems. But this highway is very important for the development of Maharashtra and it will happen.”

The Expressway originating from the central India hub of Nagpur will slash travel time to Goa from 18-20 hours to just 8-10 hours. By enhancing connectivity across 12 districts, it aims to boost tourism, regional development, and provide easier access to spiritual sites.

The villagers and farmers have been protesting acquisition of their lands and construction of Shaktipeeth Highway even as the Maharashtra government has reiterated its commitment to build what would be India’s longest expressway.

The 802 km six-lane expressway is expected to cost around Rs 86,300 crore and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will be the nodal agency for the mega-project.

In the months to come, Shaktipeeth Expressway is likely to snowball into a big political issue in Maharashtra. As part of the protests, villagers and farmers from 12 districts of the state staged a dharna at the historic Azad Maidan in Mumbai on Wednesday, coinciding with the budget session of the state legislature.

Fadnavis, however, assured that farmers will be able to reach the markets in a better way. “We will discuss to understand the difficulties of the farmers , we will try to solve their problems. But this highway is very important for the development of Maharashtra and it will happen,” he said.