Maharashtra Cabinet Approves 802-km Shaktipeeth Expressway Project
The Maharashtra cabinet has approved a Rs 20,787 crore project for the 'Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Expressway,' which will link 12 districts and significantly reduce travel time between Nagpur and Goa.
Maharashtra Shaktipeeth ExpresswayMaharashtra Cabinet ApprovalRoad DevelopmentTribal HostelsGst AmendmentsReal Estate MaharashtraJun 25, 2025
The expressway, which will cost Rs 20,787 crore, will connect Pavnar in Wardha district with Patradevi on the Maharashtra-Goa border in Sindhudurg district. According to officials, this high-speed corridor will cut the travel time between Nagpur and Goa from the current 18 hours to just 8 hours.
The project, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, will be implemented by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). HUDCO has sanctioned a loan of Rs 12,000 crore for the acquisition of nearly 7,500 hectares of land. The expressway aims to link key pilgrimage sites such as Mahur, Tuljapur, Kolhapur, and Pandharpur, as well as prominent spiritual and historical places like Ambajogai, two 'Jyotirlings' of Aundha Nagnath and Parli Vaijnath, Karanja-Lad, Akkalkot, Audumber, and Narsobachi Wadi.
In addition to the expressway project, the cabinet approved a long-pending revision of the allowances provided to Scheduled Tribes students living in hostels. Monthly living allowances were nearly doubled across categories. Divisional-level hostels will now provide Rs 1,400 per month (up from Rs 800), district-level hostels Rs 1,300 (up from Rs 600), and rural hostels Rs 1,000 (up from Rs 500). The special allowance for girl students has been raised from Rs 100 to Rs 150.
Annual education material allowances have also been hiked. Students in classes 8 to 10 will now receive Rs 4,500 (up from Rs 3,200), and medical or engineering students will get Rs 8,000 (up from Rs 6,000). Monthly food allowances have been increased to Rs 5,000 in city hostels and Rs 4,500 in district-level hostels. Currently, there are 490 tribal hostels in the state, catering to 57,700 students.
The cabinet also cleared draft amendments to the Maharashtra Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act, 2017, aligning it with the Centre's 2025 Finance Act and decisions of the 55th GST Council meeting. It approved amendments to a law dealing with the settlement of tax arrears of public sector undertakings, extending the definition of eligible applicants to include non-Companies Act entities like public sector banks and statutory bodies.
A land parcel in Bandra East was officially transferred to the Public Works Department for the construction of a new High Court complex. The government also waived Rs 31.75 crore in slum rehabilitation dues, paving the way for clearing encroachments on the site. The cabinet approved the allocation of 7,000 sq mt of reserved land at Chikhli in Pimpri Chichwad for a sewage treatment plant.
To support urban development, the Cabinet decided to offer a state guarantee and waive off guarantee fees for a Rs 2,000 crore HUDCO loan to local bodies. This will help fund projects including water supply lines in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Mira-Bhayander, and a sewage treatment plant in Nagpur.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Expressway?
The Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Expressway is an 802-km project linking eastern Maharashtra with southern Konkan, reducing travel time between Nagpur and Goa from 18 hours to 8 hours.
How much will the project cost?
The project will cost Rs 20,787 crore.
Which organization will implement the project?
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will implement the project.
What are the key benefits of the expressway?
The expressway will link key pilgrimage sites, develop rural areas through tourism, and significantly reduce travel time between major cities.
What other decisions did the Maharashtra cabinet make?
The cabinet approved increased allowances for Scheduled Tribes students, GST Act amendments, and the allocation of land for a new High Court complex and a sewage treatment plant.
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