Maharashtra Set to Host India’s Longest Road Tunnel — A Game-Changer for Travel from Nagpur to Goa

In a bold step toward transforming Maharashtra’s infrastructure, the state is all set to build what will soon become India’s longest road tunnel — and interestingly, it’s not going to be in the mountainous north, but in the heart of the state itself. This massive engineering feat is being planned as part of the ambitious Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway, a project that has stirred both excitement and controversy in recent times.

The proposed tunnel will drastically cut travel time between two key regions in the state. A stretch that currently takes around 90 minutes to cross will soon take just 20 minutes, once this infrastructure marvel is in place. Authorities behind the project claim that the improved connectivity could make a real difference to regional development and ease of movement.

Project Once Scrapped Now Back on Track

The Shaktipeeth Expressway has had a rollercoaster journey so far. During the last Lok Sabha elections, the project faced significant backlash from local communities, leading the ruling Mahayuti alliance to announce it would cancel the expressway plan. But with the alliance regaining control of the state government, things have changed quickly.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has now taken a firm stance in favor of the expressway’s completion, brushing aside opposition to move forward with construction. The government has made it clear that the project will go ahead, no matter the resistance.

A Tunnel of National Significance

One of the most striking features of the expressway will be the record-breaking road tunnel to be built in the Kolhapur-Sindhudurg belt, specifically between Ajara and Banda near the scenic Amboli region. This stretch, part of Phase 4 of the Shaktipeeth Expressway, will feature not one but two major tunnels, with a combined length of approximately 29.9 kilometers — making it the longest tunnel project in the country.

Once completed, this route will drastically reduce travel time across a 39-kilometer stretch from one and a half hours to just 20 minutes, which could be a game-changer for commuters, tourists, and transporters alike.

Route and Districts Along the Expressway

The full expressway is designed to be Maharashtra’s longest, connecting a string of key districts on its route from central Maharashtra all the way to the Goa border. The planned path will pass through:

• Nagpur
• Wardha
• Yavatmal
• Hingoli
• Parbhani
• Nanded
• Beed
• Latur
• Solapur
• Kolhapur
• Sindhudurg

The expressway will finally connect to Patradevi, just at the edge of Goa.

Connecting Culture and Devotion

Beyond transportation, the Shaktipeeth Expressway is also set to become a major religious tourism route. The expressway will link several of Maharashtra’s important spiritual sites, particularly Shaktipeeths, making pilgrimage routes more accessible than ever.

Among the religious destinations to be connected are:

• Mahur
• Tuljapur
• Aundha Nagnath
• Pandharpur
• Akkalkot
• Gangapur
• Parli Vaijnath

This spiritual corridor is expected to boost footfall to these sacred sites, supporting local economies and enhancing the cultural value of the region.

As Maharashtra pushes forward with the Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway, and now with the addition of what will become India’s longest road tunnel, the project is shaping up to be a transformative force for travel, tourism, and trade.