India’s road network is considered to be one of the largest and strongest networks in the world. In the last ten years, the country has achieved great achievements in the field of road infrastructure. Modern highways and expressways have brought a big change in the transport system, which has significantly reduced the travel time between cities. Now, another step has been taken in this direction – the construction of the Shaktipeeth Expressway.
Recently, the Maharashtra government has approved this project, which will start from Pavnar in Wardha district and go to Patradevi (Maharashtra-Goa border) in Sindhudurg district. It is going to be one of the longest expressways in India.
This expressway will be 802 km long and will have six lanes. Its construction is estimated to cost around ₹ 86,300 crore. For this, the state government has approved an amount of Rs 20,000 crore for project design and land acquisition.
The expressway will reduce the travel time between Pavnar and Patradevi from 18-20 hours to just 8-10 hours.
En route, the expressway will pass through three major Shaktipeeths – Mahalaxmi (Kolhapur), Tulja Bhavani (Dharashiv), and Patradevi (Goa); two Jyotirlingas, Aundha Nagnath (Hingoli) and Parli Vaijnath (Beed); and Pandharpur (where the famous Shri Vitthal-Rukmini temple is located).
Apart from religious significance, the expressway will also give a new impetus to regional development, tourism, and economic activities, bringing about a major change in the social and cultural landscape of the state.
