Mumbai: Speaking at the Pan-IIT World of Technology conference held at the Jio Convention Centre, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday underscored the transformative power of technology in shaping the future of Maharashtra. He highlighted its impact on key sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure, positioning the state as a leader in innovation and development.
Fadnavis emphasised Maharashtra’s commitment to fostering an innovative society by collaborating with institutions such as IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) Bombay on cutting-edge research projects. He cited the state’s drone project as a prime example, which involves building command centres and drone ports to advance technological applications in governance. The partnership with IIT Bombay demonstrates the state’s focus on leveraging research and development to drive technological progress, he said.
Technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and information technology (IT), are bringing significant positive changes to human life, the CM said. “By leveraging such innovations, the state government is improving citizens’ ease of living while creating new opportunities in healthcare, agriculture, and rural development,” he added.
Fadnavis said that Mumbai is emerging as the world’s fintech and data centre capital, and asserted that the city would offer global citizens unprecedented opportunities in the technological era. India, he said, is currently the fifth-largest economy and is poised to become the third-largest, with Maharashtra playing a pivotal role in this growth trajectory.
The event witnessed the participation of prominent personalities, including Hadi Badri, CEO of Dubai Economic Development Corporation; Professor Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology; renowned scientist Raghunath Mashelkar; Pan-IIT Chairman Devasis Bhattacharya; and other notable figures.
Fadnavis highlighted the state’s efforts to revolutionise healthcare through initiatives like the Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, which provides an annual health insurance cover of Rs5 lakh to beneficiaries. He also stressed the use of technology to deliver healthcare services to remote villages, bridging the gap in accessibility and quality.
Addressing climate change challenges in agriculture, the Chief Minister detailed the state’s solar-powered electricity initiatives. “By 2026, Maharashtra aims to generate 16 gigawatts of solar energy, ensuring daytime electricity for farmers. We are the first state in India to establish a solar energy company dedicated to agriculture,” he said.
