Maharashtra Govt Launches ₹44,800-Crore Urban Challenge Fund For 423 Civic Bodies; GR Issued On CM Devendra

Maharashtra government launched the Urban Challenge Fund campaign for all 423 Urban Local Bodies with projects worth ₹44,800 crore.

The Urban Development Department issued the Government Resolution on Wednesday, coinciding with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' birthday.

The scheme uses a blended financing model: central government contributes up to 25%, at least 50% from municipal bonds, bank loans, or PPP, and 25% from state or the ULB.

Cities with population under 1 lakh benefit from a loan repayment guarantee mechanism to help smaller municipalities raise funds for infrastructure.

The fund focuses on water supply and sanitation, creative urban redevelopment, and transforming cities into engines of economic growth, with projects like digital governance, trunk infrastructure, and traffic decongestion.