At the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 in Davos, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presented an ambitious roadmap for the transformation of Mumbai, outlining his vision for Mumbai 3.0 as India's next major investment hub. Addressing global investors and industry leaders at the WEF, which is being held from January 19-23 under the theme "A Spirit of Dialogue," Fadnavis positioned Mumbai as a future-ready global city.
Fadnavis highlighted that Mumbai 3.0, planned by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), will be nearly three times the size of present-day Mumbai. The project aims to unlock over 675 square kilometers of new urban space in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), fostering fresh growth opportunities. This expansion is supported by transformative infrastructure projects, including the Navi Mumbai International Airport, the Atal Setu sea bridge, and integrated multimodal transport connectivity. These developments are designed to boost job creation, attract foreign direct investment (FDI), and enhance the ease of living for residents.
During his visit, which began on January 18, Fadnavis emphasized that a new development roadmap is being implemented in Mumbai, with the goal of making the city more advanced than the capitals of developed nations within the next five years. He also underscored Maharashtra's broader vision of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030, leveraging infrastructure expansion, industry diversification, and foreign direct investment across sectors like logistics, manufacturing, agriculture, and services.
In addition to unveiling the Mumbai 3.0 plan, Fadnavis announced a new initiative to leverage advanced medical technology to make healthcare more accessible and affordable throughout Maharashtra. He said that the government met with global medical companies in Switzerland to explore how new machines and digital health tools can lower treatment costs. Fadnavis also highlighted the establishment of the Maha-NRI Forum to strengthen engagement with the global Marathi community and promote Indian culture and language abroad.
Fadnavis expressed his enthusiasm about the investments coming into Maharashtra across diverse sectors, emphasizing the importance of FDI. He noted the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with institutions like the University of Berkeley and MIT to foster knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and process implementation. Furthermore, he introduced the Raigad Pen Growth Centre, a new smart city near the Navi Mumbai airport, developed through a partnership between the private sector and the MMRDA. This business district aims to attract foreign companies, host Global Capability Centers (GCCs) and FinTech firms, and generate high-paying jobs.
Fadnavis's participation in the WEF Davos 2026 underscores Maharashtra's commitment to economic and social transformation through global partnerships and investment collaboration. His efforts aim to position the state not only as an attractive investment destination but also as a proactive participant in global dialogues on economic resilience, technology adoption, climate, and social development.
