GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 31st Dec: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the construction of a 374-km six-lane greenfield, access-controlled Nashik–Solapur–Akkalkot corridor in Maharashtra at a total capital cost of ₹19,142 crore.
The project will be implemented on BOT (Toll) mode and is aimed at strengthening integrated transport infrastructure under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.
Major Connectivity Boost
The proposed corridor will connect key regional centres including Nashik, Ahilyanagar and Solapur, and link seamlessly with the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway near Vadhawan port interchange, the Agra–Mumbai corridor at Nashik and the Samruddhi Mahamarg near Pangri. It will provide through connectivity from the west coast to the east coast, integrating with the Chennai–Kurnool–Hasapur highway network.
The high-speed corridor is designed to significantly improve logistics efficiency, especially for freight linked to National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) nodes such as Kopparthy and Orvakal.
Faster, Safer Travel
The six-lane access-controlled highway will support average vehicular speeds of 60 km/h with a design speed of 100 km/h. It is expected to reduce overall travel time by 17 hours and cut travel distance by 201 km, offering safer and uninterrupted movement for both passenger and freight vehicles.
Economic Impact
The project will enhance connectivity and spur economic growth across Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Dharashiv and Solapur districts. It is also aligned with the proposed Pune–Nashik Expressway development.
Officials said the corridor will generate around 251.06 lakh man-days of direct employment and 313.83 lakh man-days of indirect employment, besides creating additional opportunities through increased economic activity along the route.
