Maharashtra Cabinet Allocates ₹20,787 Cr for Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway Revival | 802 KM Mega Project

The Maharashtra Cabinet has reportedly approved a substantial allocation of ₹20,787 crore to resume land acquisition and planning activities for the ambitious 802-kilometer Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway, also known as the Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Mahamarg. This decision marks the revival of a mega infrastructure project that faced suspension in June 2024 due to widespread farmer protests and political opposition.

Financial Structure and HUDCO Partnership

According to official sources, the funding arrangement involves securing ₹12,000 crore through a loan from the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), while the remaining budget allocation covers interest payments and administrative costs. This strategic financing approach demonstrates the state government's commitment to advancing large-scale infrastructure development projects despite fiscal constraints.

Industry analysts note that the current land acquisition budget represents a significant portion of the overall estimated project cost of ₹80,000+ crore, reflecting the scale and complexity of this transportation infrastructure initiative.

Route Specification and Regional Connectivity

The proposed expressway will span from Pavnar in Wardha district to Patradevi in Sindhudurg, near the Goa border, creating a direct connectivity corridor across 12 districts in Maharashtra. The route has been strategically designed to integrate with the existing Konkan Expressway, enhancing the state's overall transportation network efficiency.

Transportation experts suggest that this connectivity enhancement will complement existing Mumbai-Nagpur expressway developments and create alternative transportation corridors that could significantly impact regional economic development patterns.

Religious Tourism and Cultural Significance

One of the distinctive features of this expressway project is its focus on connecting at least 18 major pilgrimage and religious sites, including prominent Shaktipeeths, Jyotirlingas, and temples such as Pandharpur's Vithoba temple and Ambajogai. This religious tourism angle positions the project as both a transportation infrastructure and cultural connectivity initiative.

Tourism industry stakeholders believe that improved accessibility to these religious destinations could significantly boost pilgrimage tourism revenue and support rural economies along the corridor, creating economic opportunities beyond traditional industrial development models.

Travel Time Revolution and Economic Impact

Transportation analysts project that the expressway will dramatically reduce travel time between Nagpur and Goa from approximately 18 hours to just 8 hours, representing a transformational improvement in inter-state connectivity. This time reduction could have profound implications for business travel, tourism flows, and regional economic integration.

The project aligns with Maharashtra's port-driven development strategy and is expected to provide an alternate corridor to the existing Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg, potentially redistributing traffic loads and improving overall network efficiency across the state.

Implementation Progress and Challenges

Current Development Status

Despite previous setbacks, land surveys are reportedly progressing actively, with work underway in at least 86 villages along the proposed route. Officials have indicated that a partial route alignment from Pavnar to Sangli, covering approximately 700 kilometers, has received approval.

However, consultations are still planned for the Sangli-Sindhudurg leg to address local concerns and ensure community acceptance, reflecting lessons learned from earlier opposition movements.

Farmer Opposition and Political Resistance

The project continues to face significant resistance from farmers and political leaders, particularly in Kolhapur, Sangli, and Marathwada regions. Protest activities including rasta-roko demonstrations and sit-ins highlight ongoing concerns about agricultural land acquisition and compensation adequacy.

Political opposition includes criticism from leaders such as NCP's Supriya Sule, who has raised concerns about the project's impact on Maharashtra's fiscal stability, citing the state's current debt burden of ₹9.82 lakh crore and existing fiscal pressures.

Political Context and Leadership Changes

The project's revival in June 2025 under Chief Minister Fadnavis's leadership contrasts sharply with its suspension in June 2024 following widespread protests. This policy reversal reflects changing political priorities and renewed emphasis on infrastructure development despite grassroots opposition.

Opposition leaders, including Congress MLC Satej Patil and former MP Raju Shetti, have criticized the project as being imposed on local communities and significantly overpriced compared to similar infrastructure initiatives across India.

Broader Implications for Maharashtra's Development

The Shaktipeeth Expressway represents a test case for balancing large-scale infrastructure development with local community concerns and fiscal responsibility. Success in this project could establish templates for future mega infrastructure initiatives across Maharashtra and other states.

Real estate experts anticipate that the expressway could create new development corridors and impact property values in connected districts, similar to patterns observed with other major industrial corridor developments across India.

The project's emphasis on religious tourism connectivity also represents an innovative approach to infrastructure planning that considers cultural and spiritual dimensions alongside economic factors, potentially serving as a model for heritage-sensitive development approaches.

Disclaimer: This news article is based on publicly available information from government announcements and media reports. The details mentioned are sourced from various news outlets and official statements. Readers are advised to verify information independently and stay updated with official government communications regarding project developments. The views expressed in this article are for informational purposes only and do not constitute political or investment advice.