Maharashtra approves land acquisition for Nagpur–Goa Shakti Peeth Expressway; to cut travel time to 8 hours

The Maharashtra government on Thursday approved the land acquisition and alignment for the Nagpur–Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway, a high-speed corridor that will stretch 802.59 km across the state. The project will pass through 12 districts, 39 talukas, and 370 villages, linking Pawnar in Wardha district to Patra Devi in Sindhudurg district, The Indian Express reported.

For land acquisition alone, the government has cleared a huge outlay of Rs 20,787 crore. Of this, around ₹12,000 crore is the principal amount while Rs 8,787 crore is interest. The funds will be raised through HUDCO, and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has been tasked with executing the project. The state will step in to cover any revenue gap to ensure the loan is repaid on time.

The expressway is designed not just as a high-speed travel corridor but also as a religious and cultural route. It will connect major Shaktipeeths, including Tuljapur, Kolhapur, Mahur, and 18 other religious sites, while reducing travel time between Nagpur and Goa from 18-21 hours to around eight hours.

As per the government resolution issued on Thursday, the alignment from Pawnar to Sangli has already been approved (on February 7, 2024). However, the proposed stretch through Kolhapur, covering Shiroli, Karveer, Hatkanangale, Kagal, Bhudargad, and Ajra talukas, has been cancelled under the Maharashtra Highway Act, 1955. MSRDC has been asked to work on an alternative route and submit fresh proposals. The final call will be taken after discussions with Deputy CMs, CM Devendra Fadnavis, local ministers, and elected representatives.

The expressway has faced hurdles before. In June 2024, the then CM Eknath Shinde had put the project on hold after farmer protests and political opposition, particularly in Kolhapur. Of the required 8,419 hectares, about 8,100 hectares belong to farmers, raising concerns about large-scale displacement. Opposition parties, including the Congress and NCP-SP had also capitalised on the protests in the sugar belt districts, forcing the government to pause work.