HomeInfrastructureMaharashtra approves ₹20,787 crore for Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway

Maharashtra approves ₹20,787 crore for Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway

The Maharashtra government has sanctioned ₹20,787 crore for land acquisition to construct the 802 km Shaktipeeth Expressway from Wardha to the Goa border. Touted as a religious and cultural corridor, the project aims to drastically reduce travel time from Nagpur to Goa. However, strong opposition from farmers over land acquisition threatens to delay the expressway’s completion across Western Maharashtra.

The expressway will pass through 12 districts and connect with the Konkan Expressway, forming a strategic road link across Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Western Maharashtra. Designed to promote pilgrimage tourism, it will provide access to temples such as those in Mahur, Tuljapur, and Kolhapur, and prominent Jyotirlingas. Officials believe the corridor will boost regional development, tourism, and connectivity while reducing the current 18-hour journey to just eight hours.

Despite its transformative potential, the project has triggered significant resistance from farming communities in the western districts. Locals argue that land acquisition has been carried out without adequate consultation or compensation, especially in Kolhapur’s agrarian regions. Experts raised these concerns during a recent cabinet meeting, urging the administration to engage with affected landowners before proceeding with large-scale land acquisition.

In response to the backlash, the cabinet has approved only a partial alignment from Wardha to Sangli, bypassing the more contested Kolhapur talukas. The cancelled sections include regions like Shirol, Karvir, and Kagal, where farmer protests have been most vocal. Officials have confirmed that alternative alignments will be explored for the Sangli-Sindhudurg stretch in consultation with local communities.

To manage financial and logistical challenges, the project will be implemented by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation. The plan includes a ₹12,000 crore loan from HUDCO to facilitate the acquisition of nearly 7,500 hectares of land. While officials stress that there will be no forced implementation, the expressway’s future hinges on balancing development priorities with farmer welfare and regional consensus.

The Shaktipeeth Expressway represents a bold vision for religious tourism and regional integration in Maharashtra. Yet, its success depends on transparent land acquisition and genuine stakeholder engagement. As protests persist in key districts, the state must navigate local sensitivities to ensure the corridor benefits both pilgrims and farmers alike. Future alignment decisions will likely determine the pace and acceptance of this ambitious infrastructure project.

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Maharashtra approves ₹20,787 crore for Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway
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