MUMBAI: Following strong opposition by farmers in western Maharashtra, the state government has made some changes in the alignment of the proposed Nagpur-Goa Express High-Speed Corridor (Shaktipeeth Expressway) project. The public works department on Wednesday issued a government resolution after the final alignment of the expressway was approved.
Anil Gaikwad, managing director of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), said that changes had been made in the alignment at Wardha, Yavatmal, Parbhani Hingoli, Nanded, Solapur, Sangli and Kolhapur. The realignment now includes connections to Satara and tourist destination Chandgad.
The government had granted approval for the Shaktipeeth Expressway from Pavnar in Wardha to Patradevi in Sindhudurg on February 7, 2024. As per the approved alignment, a preliminary notification for land acquisition under the Maharashtra Highways Act, 1955 was issued. However, the notification dated October 15, 2024 for the approved alignment passing through Shirala, Karveer, Hatkanangale and Bhudargad talukas, and Ajara in Kolhapur district, was cancelled. Sources said that this was due to opposition from locals.
After discussions with ministers and local MLAs and MPS and based on guiding principles (Indian Roads Congress Special Publication No. 19:2020 evaluation matrix) along with field inspections, MSRDC studied various alternative alignments and finalised the most suitable revised alignment from a comparative perspective.
As per the revised proposal, the Shaktipeeth Expressway will pass through 13 districts—Wardha, Yavatmal, Nanded, Hingoli, Parbhani, Beed, Latur, Dharashiv, Solapur, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Sindhudurg—covering 40 talukas. It will connect 21 (religious) sites, including major Shaktipeeths such as Mahur, Tuljapur, and Kolhapur. The current travel time between Nagpur and Goa, which is approximately 18 hours, is expected to reduce to about eight hours.
{{/usCountry}}As per the revised proposal, the Shaktipeeth Expressway will pass through 13 districts—Wardha, Yavatmal, Nanded, Hingoli, Parbhani, Beed, Latur, Dharashiv, Solapur, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Sindhudurg—covering 40 talukas. It will connect 21 (religious) sites, including major Shaktipeeths such as Mahur, Tuljapur, and Kolhapur. The current travel time between Nagpur and Goa, which is approximately 18 hours, is expected to reduce to about eight hours.
{{/usCountry}}While retaining the originally approved alignment in the districts of Wardha, Yavatmal, Beed, and Latur, modifications have been made to the alignment in the districts of Nanded, Hingoli, Parbhani, Dharashiv, Solapur, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Sindhudurg. Additionally, a new alignment has been included in Satara district. Approval was granted to the revised alignment from Digras (taluka & district Wardha) to Banda (taluka Sawantwadi, district Sindhudurg).
The Shaktipeeth Expressway, which was initially to be 802.592 km long has gone up 856 km on account of the new alignment, and there will be a corresponding hike in the project cost.
Stay updated with all the Breaking News and Latest News from Mumbai. Click here for comprehensive coverage of top Cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and more across India along with Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News.
Stay updated with all the Breaking News and Latest News from Mumbai. Click here for comprehensive coverage of top Cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and more across India along with Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News.