Pune, Mar 13 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minster Ashok Chavan claimed on Saturday that the State is still a favoured destination of industries.

Addressing the function after inaugurating the Mahindra and Mahindra’s Rs 5000 crore auto manufacturing plant at Chakan, near here, Chavan said: “Maharashtra is still the most favoured industrial destination in the country.”

Chavan congratulated the Mahindra group Vice Chairman Anand Mahindra for setting up the plant at Chakan and subsequently generating significant employment opportunities to the youths of the region.

Mahindra’s Chakan unit is spread in an area of 700 acres and aims to produce three lakh vehicles per year.

Chavan described the group''s investment in Chakan plant as the single largest in the State''s industrial sector.

"People have been talking about industry going out of the state. The Mahindra group''s decision to start this huge plant here has proved that Maharashtra remains the most favourite industrial destination", Chavan said.

 Chavan said his government would give high priority to create adequate industrial infrastructure in the state.

He informed the gathering that a big chunk of the state''s budget as well as public-private partnerships were being utilised to further strengthen infrastructure to meet the growing industry needs.

He also assured the industry sector that the entire Maharashtra would have better air and rail connectivity in the next five years. (ANI)