Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis requested the Opposition not to mock Prime Minister Modi’s austerity measures, suggested to save the economy in view of the ongoing crisis in West Asia on which India depends for its petroleum supply.
Speaking to media persons here on Wednesday afternoon after unveiling the logo of the 2026-28 Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela, Fadnavis said, “We are seeing that the situation in several countries is very bad. In some countries, there is a lockdown, while petrol prices have gone up to Rs 450-500 per litre and fuel is not available on certain days. Even if the Opposition does not want to implement austerity measures suggested by the PM, at least they must not make fun of his suggestions”.
Fadnavis said the global situation is very serious and that the Maharashtra government has already begun taking steps to reduce expenditure wherever foreign exchange is involved. “We are trying to reduce expenses related to security convoys, foreign travel and other areas where spending foreign exchange is necessary. We are also trying to encourage the use of indigenous products. I am sure that if citizens make even minor lifestyle changes for six months as suggested by our PM, it will help the country face the global uncertainty and emerge from it,” he added.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, unveiled the logo for the 2026-28 Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela. The logo incorporates a Trishul, which represents the famous Trimbakeshwar Temple in Nashik, as well as the Godavari river flowing through Nashik, shaped like a Shiva Linga.
The Kumbh Mela will commence on October 31, 2026 and conclude on July 24, 2028, with the main events scheduled to unfold in 2027, on the banks of the Godavari river in Nashik.
Fadnavis also felicitated saints and mahants from various akharas at an official ‘Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela Emblem Unveiling’ event at Sahyadri Guest House, in South Mumbai on Wednesday in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, Minister Girish Mahajan, Minister Uday Samant, lyricist Prasoon Joshi and other dignitaries.
Fadnavis also spoke about the progress of the Nagpur international airport project.
“All obstacles have been cleared for Nagpur airport to be developed as a brownfield airport. I am very thankful to the PM for approving the upgradation and modernisation of the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport at Nagpur during today’s union cabinet meeting. The wait for the people of Nagpur and Vidarbha to get access to world-class airport facilities is over,” Fadnavis said.
He made the statement a day after his government granted administrative and financial approval of Rs 104.48 crore for land acquisition for the proposed airport in Gadchiroli on Tuesday. Fadnavis, who is also the guardian minister of Nagpur, is actively pushing the project.
The approval covers the acquisition of 311.81 hectares of government, private and forest land spread across Shirapur Chak, Guruwala, Hirapur and Rakhi villages for the airport project’s development.
The proposal, submitted by the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC), was cleared by the empowered committee headed by the state chief secretary on May 8. The General Administration Department also issued a formal government resolution.
According to the government order, Rs 76.99 crore has been sanctioned for the acquisition of 245.75 hectares of private land, while Rs 10.07 crore has been approved for the diversion of 34.68 hectares of forest land. The total approved expenditure of Rs 87.07 crore also includes compensation-related provisions. The remaining amount accounts for establishment and administrative expenses under the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, project implementation charges and an estimated 10% escalation in project costs.
The government also approved the transfer of 31.38 hectares of land free of cost to the MADC, which has also been formally designated as the land acquisition and implementation authority for the airport project, while the Gadchiroli collector has been empowered as the land acquisition officer.