Maharashtra and Rajasthan score high in new public infra projects in FY26

Western Indian states, led by Maharashtra and Rajasthan, have recorded the largest approvals in public infrastructure projects in the first half of FY26, in terms of value. A businessline analysis of data compiled from MoSPI’s PAIMANA database shows large-scale metro, port and industrial projects drove a 25 per cent year-on-year jump in total project value, even as the number of new projects fell by 17 per cent. The data indicates a growing concentration of high-value projects, pointing to a shift in the government’s infrastructure strategy toward capital-intensive assets with wider economic impact. Among states, Maharashtra dominated the list with major projects including the Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail project worth ₹12,200 crore, aimed at easing urban congestion and strengthening intra-city mobility, and the Rewas Port project of ₹6,000 crore, which will enhance port connectivity along the western coastline. Rajasthan, meanwhile, featured among the key gainers with new and renewable energy infrastructure approvals, such as the Nokh Solar PV project at ₹4190 crore, signalling the Centre’s continued focus on balancing industrial expansion with green transition. Together, these states accounted for a substantial share of new investment approvals in the first half of FY26, underscoring Western India’s role as the core driver of the current infrastructure build-up. Logistics and Sustainability projects dominate Of the largest projects the Godhani-Kalumna Chord Line project stands out with its valuation of ₹1,50,000 crore, making it the single largest project approved in H1 of FY26. Another important project is the Jharia Master plan to address the long-standing issues of underground fires, subsidence and the need for rehabilitation in the Jharia and Raniganj coalfields of Jharkhand and West Bengal respectively at a cost of ₹ 6,000 crore. Overall, MoSPI data shows that public infrastructure projects above ₹150 crore witnessed a 25 per cent increase in cumulative investment value from ₹2.02 lakh crore in H1 FY25 to ₹2.54 lakh crore in H1 FY26, despite a decline in the number of new projects from 96 to 80. The reduction in count could reflect longer gestation periods and greater scrutiny of project viability, as the government prioritises large-scale transport, logistics, and urban infrastructure investments with stronger multiplier effects. Our analysis also observes that the average project size grew from around ₹2,100 crore to nearly ₹3,200 crore over the year, further reinforcing the shift toward capital-heavy mega projects over smaller, dispersed ones. Published on October 30, 2025