The cosmopolitan state Maharashtra, which features a highly urban set up has only one metropolitan city Mumbai, the capital, a developing metro and other large and small towns like Nasik, Pune, Navi Mumbai, Amravati, Thane and Nagpur.
Mumbai, the capital, located at the west coast of India, is world`s 5th most populated metropolitan city holding about 19 million people approximately the city has a deep natural harbor and handles the maximum of India`s passenger traffic and cargo. The financial and commercial hub of India, Mumbai holds the largest amount of taxpayers and about 70 % country`s share transaction takes place in the city stock exchange. The affluent lifestyle and entertainments, which the city offers, is akin to that of the international capitals.
The state`s cultural capital, Pune was the citadel of the Maratha Empire. It is the major industrial harbor, undergoing rapid developments. It is the core of the world`s largest two wheeler manufacturer Bajaj Auto. The other leading companies are Tata Motors, DaimlerChrysler. Recently Pune has been emerging as a software hub. IT parks like Rajiv Gandhi national Park at Hinjewadi, Magarpatta Cybercity, MIDC Software Technology Park at Talawad etc contribute to the country`s upliftment. Software firms like Infosys, TCS, Tech Mahindra , Wipro, Cognizant, Tata Elexi, Satyam etc have their center in the city. The BPO industry is also emerging as one of the principal backbone of Pune, due to the supply of skilled English speaking youth in abundance. Convergys, Wipro BPO, Infosys BPO, EXL, vCustomer , Mphasis have their operations mainly based in the city. Several Power plants have been constructed in Pune to meet the explosive demands of electricity all over the country.
Nagpur the "Orange city", is currently emerging as the largest trading center of certain goods & services. The city however suffers an economic set back when merged with Vidarbha, due to some political sentiment. In the recent period , state and central govt. offfices are the principal sources of employment. But attracting an investment of 5000 crore the city has managed to come out of its losses. A project named Multimodal International Hub Airport (MIHAN) at Nagpur now houses the heavy cargo ships from South-east & Middle-East Asia. Nagpur is a renowned educational center in Central India.Nagpur University , founded in 1923, is the oldest Universuty having its affiliation over hundreds of coleges. The city is the abode of three principal medical colleges- the Government Medical college, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College & privately run NKP Salve Institution of Medical college. One of the famous Animal Sciences Research University has been established there, named as Maharashtra Animal and Sciences University. The city is well- known for its engineering colleges.
