Shaktipeeth Expressway Set to Transform Nagpur-Goa Travel: 760 Km Green Corridor to Slash Journey Time
Shaktipeeth Expressway Set to Transform Nagpur-Goa Travel: 760 Km Green Corridor to Slash Journey Time(representational image)
The upcoming Shaktipeeth Expressway is poised to revolutionize travel between Nagpur and Goa, drastically reducing the current 21-hour journey to approximately 7 hours. This Greenfield project, announced during a NITI Aayog meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 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 nearly final, marking progress in the development of this ambitious project. Upon official alignment notification, the government will initiate the land acquisition and tender process, facilitating enhanced transportation links between Nagpur and Goa to spur economic development.
The Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Expressway, estimated to cost over 86,000 crores, will span 760 km as a six-lane access-controlled highway, connecting Pavnar (near Wardha) to Patradevi (Pernem Taluk). The route alignment is designed to link pilgrimage sites in Vidarbha, Marathwada, Western Maharashtra, and Goa.
As part of its commitment to environmental sustainability, the government plans to plant thousands of plants, trees, and shrubs along the Nagpur-Goa Expressway, creating a green corridor. The project’s comprehensive approach aims not only to improve travel but also to boost tourism and pilgrimage between north Goa and Nagpur.
Three firms have submitted bids for preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR), a crucial 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 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 expected to take five to seven years, travelers can anticipate using the expressway from 2028 to 2029, marking a significant leap forward in transportation infrastructure for the region.
