Maharashtra Clears Redesigned Nagpur-Goa Expressway: Higher Cost, Longer Route

• Maharashtra government approves revised Shaktipeeth Expressway plan, increasing length by 54 km to 856.765 km.
• Project cost surges to Rs 1 lakh crore from Rs 80,000 crore due to expansion and redesign.
• New alignment includes Satara district, with 40 km passing through Gondawale and Shikhar Shinganapur.
• Earlier farmer protests in Kolhapur over fertile land acquisition led to the redesign and withdrawal of initial notifications.
• The six-lane greenfield corridor aims to cut Nagpur-Goa travel time from 18 to 8 hours, connecting 13 districts and 21 pilgrimage sites.