MUMBAI – The Maharashtra Public Works Department has officially approved a new alignment for the Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Highway, significantly expanding the project to connect 21 religious sites across 13 districts.

The revised design increases the highway’s length to 865.76 km (up from 803 km) and incorporates Satara into the route, which stretches from Nagpur to Goa.

Key Highlights:

• Travel Time: Once completed, the expressway is expected to reduce the journey between Nagpur and Goa from 18 hours to approximately eight hours.
• Pilgrimage Links: The route connects major Shaktipeeths, including Mahur, Tuljapur, and Kolhapur, passing through 40 talukas.
• Revised Route: While alignments in Wardha and Latur remain the same, changes were made in districts like Nanded, Solapur, and Kolhapur to facilitate the new layout.
• Farmer Resistance: The Shaktipeeth Highway Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti has threatened a statewide agitation within eight days, alleging the new path still threatens fertile, irrigated agricultural land.

Critics of the project claim the government has failed to consult with affected farmers, who have been protesting the development for over two years.