In a monumental stride towards enhancing connectivity between Nagpur and Goa, the Maharashtra government is set to embark on the construction of the Shaktipeeth Expressway. Announced during a NITI Aayog meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this Greenfield project holds the promise of transforming the current 21-hour journey into a swift 7-hour ride. The expressway aims to connect three Shaktipeethas, two Jyotirlingas, and pilgrimage centers across east, west, and south Maharashtra.
Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, revealed that the alignment for the Nagpur-Goa Expressway is nearing finalization, signaling progress in this ambitious undertaking. Once the official alignment is notified, the government will kickstart the land acquisition and tender process, laying the groundwork for improved transportation links that are expected to spur economic development in the region.
The Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Expressway, with an estimated cost exceeding 86,000 crores, will stretch over 760 km as a six-lane access-controlled highway, connecting Pavnar (near Wardha) to Patradevi (Pernem Taluk). The strategically planned route alignment seeks to link pilgrimage sites in Vidarbha, Marathwada, Western Maharashtra, and Goa.
In a commitment to environmental sustainability, the government plans to create a green corridor by planting thousands of plants, trees, and shrubs along the Nagpur-Goa Expressway. This holistic approach not only aims to improve travel but also to boost tourism and pilgrimage activities between north Goa and Nagpur.
Three firms have submitted bids for preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR), a critical step in the expressway’s development. The Nagpur-Goa Expressway is expected to be linked to the under-construction 701 km Samruddhi Mahamarg (Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway) in Wardha, further enhancing connectivity.
The ambitious project, initially announced by Devendra Fadnavis in September 2022, has progressed steadily since MSRDC invited tenders for a Consultant to prepare the feasibility study report, DPR, and assist with land acquisition in October 2022. While the development is anticipated to take five to seven years, travelers can look forward to using the expressway from 2028 to 2029, marking a significant leap forward in transportation infrastructure for the region.
