India’s infrastructure landscape is undergoing a massive transformation with several new expressway projects bridging distant regions and cutting down travel times dramatically. Among these, the Shaktipeeth Expressway — also known as the Nagpur–Goa Expressway — stands out as one of Maharashtra’s most ambitious infrastructure ventures.
This greenfield access-controlled corridor aims to seamlessly connect central India’s Nagpur with coastal Goa, covering the length and breadth of Maharashtra. Designed as a six-lane expressway, the project not only promises enhanced connectivity but also aims to boost religious tourism, industrial growth, and logistics movement across Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Konkan regions.
The expressway derives its name — Shaktipeeth — from its planned route that will pass close to several sacred Shaktipeeth temples in Maharashtra, such as Tuljabhavani, Mahalakshmi, and Patradevi.
Let’s explore this mega project in-depth, covering its route map, completion date, cost, village list, land acquisition, and latest status updates, along with what makes it a project of national significance.
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What is the Shaktipeeth Expressway and Why is it Important?
The Shaktipeeth Expressway, or Nagpur–Goa Expressway, is a proposed 6-lane, 802.6 km long greenfield expressway designed to connect Pavnar in Wardha district (Vidarbha) to Patradevi in Sindhudurg district, near the Goa border.
This project aims to:
- Strengthen connectivity between eastern and western Maharashtra.
- Promote religious and cultural tourism by linking key pilgrimage centers.
- Enhance trade and logistics efficiency between Nagpur and Goa’s port region.
- Improve access to remote and underdeveloped districts in Marathwada.
- Boost real estate and industrial activity across regions it traverses.
Essentially, it is envisioned as Maharashtra’s east-to-west backbone, complementing the Mumbai–Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg that runs north to south.
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What is the Shaktipeeth Expressway Route Map?
The Shaktipeeth Expressway route map outlines a direct, efficient path from central Maharashtra to the Konkan coast, covering twelve districts in total.
Starting and Ending Points
- Starting Point: Pavnar near Wardha (Vidarbha region), connecting directly with the Samruddhi Mahamarg.
- Ending Point: Patradevi village in Sindhudurg, close to the Goa border, providing seamless access into the coastal belt.
Districts Covered
The expressway will pass through the following 12 districts of Maharashtra:
- Wardha
- Yavatmal
- Hingoli
- Nanded
- Parbhani
- Beed
- Latur
- Dharashiv (Osmanabad)
- Solapur
- Sangli
- Kolhapur
- Sindhudurg
Key Features of the Route
- Total Length: Approx. 802.6 km
- Lanes: Six-lane access-controlled highway
- Connectivity: Links to Samruddhi Mahamarg at Pavnar
- Terrain: Mix of plains, ghats, and forested regions
- Corridor Type: Greenfield (new alignment, not an upgrade of existing highways)
This carefully designed alignment provides a straight, high-speed corridor, reducing the need to traverse multiple congested national highways.
Which Villages Fall Under the Shaktipeeth Expressway Village List?
The Shaktipeeth Expressway Village List is still being finalized as part of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and land acquisition phases. However, preliminary mapping shows that over 1,500 villages across the 12 districts will be affected in varying degrees — either through direct alignment or proximity-based land use.
Notably, key talukas in Kolhapur district such as Shirol, Hatkanangale, and Kagal were initially included but later dropped following local opposition. Alternate alignments are being planned to minimize displacement and environmental impact.
The MSRDC (Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation) has begun land measurement and survey work in several districts including Dharashiv and Beed, with local participation in voluntary land surrender schemes.
What is the Total Cost of the Shaktipeeth Expressway?
The shaktipeeth expressway cost makes it one of the largest infrastructure investments in Maharashtra’s history.
Cost Breakdown
- Total Project Cost: ₹83,600 crore (approximate latest estimate)
- Land Acquisition Cost: ₹20,787 crore approved by the Maharashtra government
- Construction and Ancillary Costs: ~₹60,000 crore (includes bridges, tunnels, interchanges, toll plazas, and smart infrastructure systems)
The funding model involves loans from HUDCO (Housing and Urban Development Corporation) and potential PPP (Public-Private Partnership) participation for select stretches.
What is the Shaktipeeth Expressway Completion Date?
The shaktipeeth expressway completion date is currently targeted for 2028–2029, depending on how quickly the land acquisition and environmental clearances proceed.
Project Timeline So Far
- 2022: Official announcement of the Nagpur–Goa Expressway by the Maharashtra government.
- 2023: Feasibility study and DPR initiated by MSRDC.
- 2024: Temporary halt due to protests in Kolhapur and clearance issues.
- 2025: Project revived; ₹20,787 crore approved for land acquisition.
- 2026 (expected): Construction likely to begin in phases.
- 2028–29: Targeted completion and partial opening of major sections.
While the timeline may shift depending on environmental and legal hurdles, the expressway remains a state priority, with consistent updates confirming the government’s commitment.
What is the Current Status of the Nagpur–Goa Expressway?
As of 2025, the current status of the Nagpur–Goa Expressway indicates that the project is progressing steadily through pre-construction phases.
Latest Updates
- DPR & Surveys: Completed for most districts.
- Land Acquisition: Notification issued; valuation and compensation ongoing.
- Environmental Clearance: Under review, following realignment in forested regions.
- Construction: Yet to begin; tendering likely in 2026.
- Government Approval: Administrative sanction granted; budget allocated.
Recent reports confirm that 13 farmers in Dharashiv voluntarily offered land for the project — a positive sign for faster land acquisition. Meanwhile, opposition in certain pockets of Kolhapur led to dropping some talukas from the alignment to avoid litigation delays.
What Will Be the Travel Time Between Nagpur and Goa?
The Nagpur to Goa expressway travel time is one of the most attractive aspects of the project.
Currently, traveling from Nagpur to Goa takes around 18–21 hours via conventional highways. Once the Nagpur–Goa Expressway is operational, the journey time will be reduced to 7–8 hours, thanks to high-speed design standards and straight-line alignment.
The distance will also reduce from over 1,100 km to around 802 km, offering not just time savings but also fuel efficiency and convenience for freight movement.
What is the Status of Land Acquisition for the Shaktipeeth Expressway?
The shaktipeeth expressway land acquisition process is one of the largest undertaken by MSRDC after the Mumbai–Nagpur Expressway.
Key Developments
- Land Area Required: Approximately 8,000 hectares across 12 districts.
- Budget Approved: ₹20,787 crore (June 2025).
- Acquisition Model: Mix of direct purchase, consent-based acquisition, and rehabilitation.
- Challenges: Protests in Kolhapur and Sangli; alignment revision underway.
The government has clarified that affected landowners will receive compensation four times the market rate, along with rehabilitation benefits under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act, 2013.
What is the Latest Update on the Shaktipeeth Expressway?
The shaktipeeth expressway latest update (2025) shows significant administrative movement:
- Maharashtra Cabinet approved the land acquisition budget.
- Alignment finalization is nearing completion.
- Farmer consultations are being conducted in multiple talukas.
- The expressway is being promoted as a “religious and tourism corridor” connecting Shaktipeeth shrines.
With the government pushing to start work before the 2026 financial year, tenders for civil construction packages are expected soon.
How Will the Expressway Boost Maharashtra’s Economy?
Beyond infrastructure benefits, the Nagpur–Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway will catalyze massive economic transformation:
- Logistics Efficiency: Faster cargo movement to Goa’s ports.
- Tourism Boost: Easy access to heritage and temple towns.
- Industrial Corridors: Opens up Marathwada and Vidarbha for investment.
- Real Estate Surge: Expected price appreciation near interchanges.
- Employment: Thousands of direct and indirect jobs during and after construction.
In essence, this project will do for Maharashtra’s east–west connectivity what the Samruddhi Mahamarg did for its north–south axis.
Conclusion
The Shaktipeeth Expressway represents not just a transportation corridor but a vision for Maharashtra’s holistic development — connecting spiritual heritage, economic centers, and coastal gateways in one seamless route.
While hurdles around land and environmental permissions remain, the consistent government push, approved budgets, and growing local cooperation point to steady progress ahead. Once operational, the Nagpur–Goa Expressway will be a landmark project redefining how Maharashtra travels, trades, and thrives.
At Housiey, we believe such developments will play a transformative role in shaping the real estate and investment potential across the state.
If you’re keen on staying updated about India’s upcoming infrastructure, make sure to check out our detailed blog on “Upcoming Expressways in India in 2025.”
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