Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway: India’s One Of Longest, Set To Slash Travel Time

In a significant step towards enhancing connectivity in Maharashtra, the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government's ambitious project of building the Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway is gathering momentum, according to a Swarajya report. The expressway will connect key pilgrimage destinations, including Maharashtra's prominent Shaktipeeths, providing a much-needed boost to both regional development and tourism.

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has reportedly resubmitted its application for environmental clearance for the expressway. Earlier in August, following a meeting between local farmers and leaders including Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar in Kolhapur, which called for the cancellation of the project, MSRDC had withdrawn its earlier request for the environmental clearance.

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However, after withdrawing the initial proposal, the MSRDC has now re-applied with multiple alignment options for various segments of the expressway, covering areas from Wardha to Sindhudurg. These new options are aimed at addressing concerns raised by locals and stakeholders while still advancing the project.

The proposed Shaktipeeth Expressway is set to be one of India's longest expressways. Stretching over 802 kilometres, it will surpass the length of the existing Nagpur-Mumbai Expressway, also known as Samruddhi Mahamarg, which is 701 kilometres long. The new expressway will significantly reduce travel time between Nagpur and Goa, bringing down the journey from the current 18-20 hours to approximately 8-10 hours.

The six-lane, access-controlled expressway will begin at Pavnar in Wardha district and conclude at Patradevi on the Maharashtra-Goa state border. It will pass through 11 districts, linking areas across Vidarbha, Marathwada, and the Konkan region. The proposed route will traverse the districts of Wardha, Yavatmal, Hingoli, Nanded, Parbhani, Latur, Beed, Osmanabad, Solapur, Kolhapur, and Sindhudurg.

The project has received support from landowners in Vidarbha and Marathwada, although opposition has come from some areas, particularly in Sangli and Kolhapur districts. These regions have raised concerns over the potential destruction of fertile lands due to the expressway's construction.

The state government, through the MSRDC's new application, is working to address these concerns by offering multiple alignment options. This is aimed at mitigating environmental impact while keeping the project on track to improve infrastructure and connectivity across the state. The government's push for the project is expected to offer numerous benefits, including reduced travel time, increased tourism, and enhanced economic activity.