Maharashtra to build 3,500 smart villages, Fadnavis launches India’s first hi-tech model in Nagpur

“Satanwari will soon become a model village for the entire country,” Fadnavis said, adding that it could set the benchmark for India’s rural transformation.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday announced a major push to rural digitisation, declaring that 10 smart villages will be developed in every taluka of the state.

The announcement came during the launch of Satanwari in Nagpur district, which has now become India’s first smart and intelligent village, equipped with cutting-edge technology in agriculture, education, healthcare and essential services.

“In the first phase, nearly 3,500 villages will be transformed,” Fadnavis said at the event, calling it a “revolutionary step” to make rural life more connected, modern and sustainable.

How the initiative works

The smart village project has been rolled out in collaboration with the state government, the Nagpur district administration, Voice of Indian Communication Technology Enterprises (VOICE) and 24 Indian companies.

Villagers in Satanwari now have access to 18 advanced services, including:

Telemedicine and digital health consultations
Smart education with AI tools
Drone-based pesticide and fertiliser spraying
Smart irrigation with sensors and data analytics
Banking services on wheels
Digital surveillance and improved water quality monitoring

Fadnavis said the model builds on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Digital India and BharatNet vision, with Maharashtra implementing its own MahaNet project to ensure rural internet connectivity.

Farmers go hi-tech

Farmers in Satanwari are already using drones and soil sensors for crop monitoring, spraying and fertiliser management. Drinking water quality has improved through digital monitoring, while telemedicine has connected villagers to healthcare without having to travel long distances.

“Satanwari will soon become a model village for the entire country,” Fadnavis said, adding that it could set the benchmark for India’s rural transformation.

Investment and next steps

State Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the initiative follows PM Modi’s smart city and Digital India projects. He added that Rs 1,200 crore has already been sanctioned for development works in Nagpur district.

At the event, the CM also performed a virtual bhoomipoojan of 40 anganwadis and inaugurated solar panels at primary health sub-centres under the 15th Finance Commission.

Certificates of appreciation were handed to representatives of partner tech companies that contributed to building the first smart village.

(With inputs from PTI)