A major infrastructure project in Maharashtra has taken a fresh turn, with the state government approving a revised plan for the Shaktipeeth Expressway, bringing higher costs, a longer route, and renewed
focus on connectivity and development.
On Wednesday, April 1, the state government cleared a redesigned alignment for the Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway. The revision has extended the project’s length by 54 km, taking it from 802.592 km to 856.765 km.
With the expansion, the estimated cost has surged to Rs 1 lakh crore, a significant jump from the earlier projection of around Rs 80,000 crore.
Route Expansion Now Includes Satara
According to a report by Indian Express, a key change in the new alignment is the inclusion of a stretch through the Satara district. Around 40 km of the expressway will pass through two villages – Gondawale and Shikhar Shinganapur, bringing Satara into the project’s route map.
The expressway will begin at Wardha and end in Sindhudurg, with revised segments also affecting districts such as Nanded, Hingoli, Parbhani, Solapur, Sangli, and Kolhapur.
Land Requirement And Acquisition Plans
According to reports, the updated alignment will require the acquisition of approximately 8,760 hectares of land. Officials indicated that land acquisition for the revised sections can now begin.
According to a Maharashtra State Roads Development Corporation (MSRDC) official, joint measurement work has already been completed in more than one-third of the affected villages.
Farmer Protests Forced Rethink
The earlier alignment, approved in February 2024, had triggered strong resistance from farmers, particularly in Kolhapur district. By October 2024, initial land acquisition notifications were withdrawn following widespread protests.
The issue became politically sensitive and featured prominently during the Assembly elections. Farmers opposed the project largely because it cut through fertile agricultural land known for high yields, including sugarcane and other cash crops.
Concerns Over Duplication And Environment
Critics had reportedly also questioned the need for the expressway, pointing to the ongoing extension of the Nagpur-Ratnagiri National Highway as a parallel route.
Environmental concerns were another major factor, as the proposed corridor passes through ecologically sensitive regions such as the Western Ghats and the Konkan belt.
Project Put On Hold, Then Redesigned
Land acquisition efforts were paused until February 2025, when the Mahayuti government returned to power in the state.
Subsequently, in August 2025, the MSRDC was tasked with examining alternative routes and preparing a revised alignment, leading to the current proposal.
Wider Reach Across Districts And Religious Sites
The redesigned expressway will reportedly pass through 13 districts and 40 talukas, covering Wardha, Yavatmal, Nanded, Hingoli, Parbhani, Beed, Latur, Dharashiv, Solapur, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Sindhudurg.
It is also planned to connect 21 pilgrimage sites, including key Shaktipeeths in Maharashtra such as Mahur, Tuljapur, and Kolhapur.
Travel Time To Be Cut By More Than Half
The six-lane greenfield corridor is expected to significantly improve connectivity between central and western Maharashtra and Goa. Travel time between Nagpur and Goa could drop sharply from around 18 hours to just 8 hours.
Beyond faster travel, the project is aimed at boosting economic activity and strengthening links between major religious destinations along the route.
