Maharashtra Clears Shaktipeeth Expressway To Link Major Pilgrimage Sites, Nagpur-Goa Travel Time To Drop From 18 To 8 Hours

The Maharashtra government has approved the Shaktipeeth Expressway project, aimed at linking major pilgrimage and tourism sites across the state, Hindustan Times reported.

A government resolution granting administrative approval was issued on 26 August, confirming the alignment in all districts except Kolhapur, where strong resistance from farmers has stalled progress.

The 802-km greenfield, access-controlled expressway will begin at Paunar in Wardha and end at Patradevi in Sindhudurg, near the Goa border.

Passing through 12 districts and 370 villages, it is expected to cut travel time between Nagpur and Goa from 18 hours to just 8 hours.

The state cabinet had sanctioned Rs 20,787 crore for the project in June.

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However, the plan has sparked protests in Kolhapur, where farmers, backed by opposition leaders, have opposed land acquisition, citing threats to fertile farmland and livelihoods.

In six talukas, including Shirol, Karveer, Hatkanangle, Kagal, Bhudargad, and Ajra, land surveys were cancelled in 2024 due to the agitation.

To address the impasse, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), which is executing the project, is exploring alternative routes for the Kolhapur stretch.

MSRDC managing director Anil Gaikwad said a final decision on land acquisition in the district will be taken later.

HUDCO has sanctioned a loan of Rs 12,000 crore for the acquisition of nearly 7,500 hectares of land, government officials say.

Despite the opposition in Kolhapur, the expressway is being pitched as a transformative corridor that would boost tourism, improve connectivity to southern Konkan, and serve as a major link between Vidarbha and Goa.

In addition to linking Shaktipeeths like Mahur, Tuljapur, and Kolhapur, the expressway will offer direct connectivity to several prominent spiritual and heritage destinations, including the Jyotirlingas at Pandharpur, Ambajogai, Aundha Nagnath, and Parli Vaijnath, as well as Karanja-Lad, Akkalkot, Audumber, and Narsobachi Wadi.

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