Maharashtra Cabinet Approves ₹4,250 Crore PRAGATI Project To Transform Public Healthcare, Add 1,600 Beds

Mumbai, September 8, 2026: The Maharashtra Cabinet recently sanctioned a Rs 4,250 crore project called PRAGATI, with the aim of modernizing the state's public healthcare system through advanced governance and technology integration. Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Prakash Abitkar announced the decision, stating the project will run from 2026 to 2031 to increase accessibility and drive digital transformation across Maharashtra's healthcare services.

The project will be funded equally by the state government and a loan from the Asian Development Bank (70% and 30% respectively). A key emphasis will be placed on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and mental health disorders. The initiative will also bolster services for breast, cervical and oral cancer screenings, fatty liver disease, palliative care and hospice care.

Further infrastructure upgrades are planned, adding 1,600 new hospital beds in five districts through an estimated Rs 1,500 crore investment. These upgrades will be implemented in Kolhapur and Nanded (500-bed district hospitals each), Pune (200-bed Referral and Referral Services Hospital), Latur and Nagpur (existing district hospitals upgraded to 200-bed facilities). The goal is to alleviate pressure from tertiary hospitals by improving diagnosis, treatment, and referral services at the district level.

Ultimately, the PRAGATI project aims to enhance the quality and efficiency of Maharashtra's public healthcare system, reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses, and progress towards Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goal-3 of ensuring healthy lives for all.