Union Cabinet approves six-lane greenfield corridor in Maharashtra from Nashik–Solapur–Akkalkot

New Delhi : In a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today approved the construction of a 374-km-long, six-lane greenfield access-controlled Nashik–Solapur–Akkalkot corridor in Maharashtra. The project will be implemented on a Build–Operate–Transfer (BOT) basis, with a total capital cost of Rs 19,142 crore.

This project, which will connect major cities such as Nashik, Ahilyanagar, and Solapur and further link to Kurnool, is an important decision aimed at accelerating integrated transport infrastructure development under the principles of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.

The greenfield corridor between Nashik and Akkalkot is proposed to be connected to the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway near the Vadodara Interchange, the Agra–Mumbai Corridor at the junction of National Highway-60 (Adegav) in Nashik, and the Samruddhi Mahamarg near Pangri (close to Nashik). This proposed corridor will provide direct connectivity from the western coast to the eastern coast. Along the Chennai port side, work is already underway on a 700-km-long four-lane corridor from Chennai to Hasapur (Maharashtra border) via Tiruvallur, Renigunta, Kadapa, and Kurnool.

The primary objective of this proposed access-controlled six-lane greenfield project is to enhance highway capacity. It is expected to reduce travel time by 17 hours and shorten the travel distance by 201 km. The Nashik–Akkalkot (Solapur) corridor will improve logistics efficiency for goods moving to and from major National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) nodes such as Kopparthy and Orvakal. The Nashik–Talegaon Dighe stretch is also significant from the perspective of developing the Pune–Nashik Expressway. The NICDC has identified this project as part of a proposed new expressway to be undertaken by the Government of Maharashtra.

This project will provide a high-speed corridor for improved safety and uninterrupted traffic flow. It will help reduce travel time, traffic congestion, and operational costs. Importantly, the project will not only enhance infrastructure in the region but also make a significant contribution to the overall economic development of Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Dharashiv, and Solapur districts.

This six-lane access-controlled greenfield corridor will be equipped with a “closed tolling” system. The permitted design speed will be an average of 60 kmph to 100 kmph. As a result, total travel time is expected to reduce to approximately 17 hours (a 45 per cent reduction from the existing 31 hours), while providing safer, faster, and uninterrupted connectivity for both passenger and freight vehicles.

The project is expected to generate approximately 251.06 lakh man-days of direct employment and 313.83 lakh man-days of indirect employment. In addition, increased economic activity in areas surrounding the proposed corridor will create further employment opportunities.