State PCS - Maharashtra (MPSC)

• 25 Jun 2025

Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway Project

Why in News?

The state cabinet approved the provision of Rs 20,787 crore to accelerate the Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway project. 

Key Points

• Route and Distance: The expressway connects the Maharashtra-Goa border from Pawnar (Wardha district) in the east to Patra Devi (Sindhudurg district) in the west.
  • The total length of the expressway will be 802.6 km.
• Reduced Travel Time: The expressway will significantly reduce the travel time from Nagpur to Goa from 18 hours to just 8 hours.
• District Connectivity: The expressway will pass through 12 districts of Maharashtra: Wardha, Yavatmal, Hingoli, Nanded, Parbhani, Beed, Latur, Dharashiv, Solapur, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Sindhudurg.
  • The expressway will later be connected to the Konkan Expressway on the Goa-Maharashtra border.
• Religious and Pilgrimage Site Connections: The highway will connect several major religious sites, including Shakti Peethas like Mahur, Tuljapur, Kolhapur, and pilgrimage sites like Ambejogai.
  • It will also link shrines of saints like Mukundaraj Swami, Jogai Devi, and important Jyotirlingas (Aundha Nagnath and Parli Vaijnath).
  • Other sacred places such as Shri Vitthal Rukmini Temple in Pandharpur, Karanja-Lad, Akkalkot, Gangapur, Narsobachi Wadi, Audumbara, and Datta Guru shrines will also be connected.
• Financial and Land Acquisition Details: A loan of Rs 12,000 crore has been approved by HUDCO for land acquisition.
  • About 7,500 hectares of land will be acquired from this fund.
• Project Implementation: The Maharashtra Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will be responsible for implementing the entire project.
• Farmer’s Protest: Farmers' protests over the Shaktipeeth highway project, which involves acquiring 8,000 hectares of land, have sparked political concerns. However, despite opposition, the government has continued with land acquisitions.