Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday gave nod for Rs 86,300 crore Shaktipeeth Expressway, a project aimed at bridging the distance between Vidarbha and Konkan. The E-way is aimed at strengthening ties between different regions of the State and cutting down travel time through a 6-lane roadway. The project, a dream of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, will start from Pavnar in Wardha district and end at Patradevi in Sindhudurg district of Konkan region. It will pass through 12 districts of State.

 

Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is going to execute the project. Upon completion, the project will reduce the travel time from current 18-20 hours to 8-10 hours, boosting tourism and deepening cultural connect among people. As per the draft plan, proposed E-way will connect 18 pilgrimage centres, including three-and-a-half Shaktipeeth, two Jyotirlingas and Pandharpur located in different parts of the State. The cabinet meet has also approved MSRDC proposal for allocation of Rs 20,000 crore to kickstart land acquisition and prepare final alignment and design for the E-way.

 

The expressway will pass through three Shaktipeeths of Mahalaxmi (Kolhapur), Tulja Bhawani (Dharashiv) and Patradevi (Goa); two Jyotirlingas of Aundha Nagnath (Hingoli) and Parli Vaijnath (Beed); the historic town of Pandharpur which houses the Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Mandir, the presiding diety of Maharashtra. During last week itself, Chief Minister had directed the Finance Department to allocate Rs 12,000 crore to MSRDC for starting the land acquisition. The final alignment of the E-way is notified and it has already ruffled feathers of many. Incidentally, in run upto Assembly election, MSRDC had slowed down the land acquisition but now with green signal from State the process is going to gather pace. Due to delay already, the project cost has increased. Chief Minister has already reiterated readiness to sit across the table and talk to the critics of project. State Government is not going to steam roll opposition to land acquisition but explain to them the benefits that would accrue due to new E-way.