The Maharashtra government has given the administrative approval to the new expressway that will be 802 kilometres long. Known as the Shaktipeeth Expressway, this project is planned with a focus on connectivity and promoting religious tourism in the region. This new expressway is expected to reduce the travel time between Nagpur and Goa from 18 hours to 8 hours. Scroll down to know more.
Maharashtra Government Approves Shaktipeeth Expressway
According to the Free Press Journal, the Maharashtra government released the government resolution (GR) approving the project on August 26. The Shaktipeeth Expressway will connect all the major Shakti Peeths, starting from Paunar in Wardha. It will end at Patradevi in Sindhudurg, near the Goa border.
The new expressway will be greenfield and access-controlled. It will pass through 12 districts and impact nearly 370 villages. In June, the state cabinet had already approved the ₹20,787 crore project. Moreover, HUDCO (Housing and Urban Development Corporation) has sanctioned Rs 12,000 crore to acquire over 7,500 hectares of land that is required for the expressway. This new expressway will improve connectivity, promote religious tourism, and provide easier access to pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra.
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Hindrances In The Project
In fear of losing fertile farmland and land acquisition, the new expressway faced strong protests by the farmers. Due to this, the initial work for the expressway, including the land surveys and measurements, had been put on hold. Due to this, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), the in charge of this project, said they would not start land acquisition until they talk with the farmers who were against this project.
Amid all these challenges, the state government feels that the Shaktipeeth Expressway will be beneficial for infrastructure growth with cultural and tourism opportunities.
Apart from this, a new Bengaluru-Chennai expressway is set to be completed by 2026. This new expressway will cut the travel duration from 5–6 hours to just 2 hours and 15 minutes. It aims to improve regional connectivity in South India.
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