In a significant infrastructural development, the Maharashtra state cabinet has approved a massive investment of ₹20,787 crore for the construction of the Shaktipeeth Expressway, a high-speed corridor connecting Nagpur to Goa. This 802.6-km expressway, also known as the Nagpur–Goa Shaktipeeth Highway, aims to transform travel across Maharashtra by improving connectivity to key pilgrimage centers and boosting regional development.
📍 Project Highlights
- Total Length: 802.6 kilometers
- Estimated Cost: ₹20,787 crore
- Implementation Agency: Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC)
- Target Completion: By 2028–2029
This access-controlled, six-lane expressway will begin at Pavnar in Wardha district and end at Patradevi in Sindhudurg, near the Goa border. The expressway will pass through 12 districts including Yavatmal, Hingoli, Nanded, Parbhani, Beed, Latur, Dharashiv, Solapur, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Sindhudurg.
🛕 Cultural and Religious Significance
The Shaktipeeth Expressway is designed not just as a transport corridor but as a spiritual and cultural route. It will connect important Hindu pilgrimage sites such as:
- Tuljapur Bhavani Temple
- Ambajogai Yogeshwari Temple
- Kolhapur Mahalaxmi Temple
- Pandharpur Vitthal Rukmini Temple
- Jyotirlingas like Aundha Nagnath and Parli Vaijnath
- Mahur Renuka Devi Temple
- Dattatreya shrines such as Audumbar
Once completed, the highway is expected to reduce travel time between Nagpur and Goa from 18 hours to just 8 hours, while also promoting spiritual tourism and local economies.
💰 Funding and Land Acquisition
To fund the project, the state government plans to raise ₹12,000 crore via HUDCO (Housing and Urban Development Corporation) loans for land acquisition. The remaining funds will be utilized for construction and interest servicing. Around 7,500 hectares of land are expected to be acquired for the expressway.
🌾 Opposition and Realignment
Despite the ambitious scope of the project, the government faces protests from farmers, especially in Kolhapur and Marathwada, who oppose land acquisition without adequate compensation. In response, the cabinet has initiated discussions with stakeholders and instructed MSRDC to explore alternative alignments—especially between Sangli and Sindhudurg—to minimize disruption and ensure consensus.
🏗️ Infrastructure Vision
The Shaktipeeth Expressway follows the success of Maharashtra’s Samruddhi Mahamarg (Mumbai–Nagpur Expressway) and represents a broader strategy to improve road infrastructure, connect rural and urban regions, and stimulate tourism and trade.
🔚 Conclusion
With the approval of ₹20,787 crore for the Shaktipeeth Expressway, Maharashtra is taking a bold step toward boosting regional development while honoring its religious heritage. As the project moves forward, balancing development with the concerns of affected communities will be key to its success.