Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Dec 31: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of a 6-lane, access-controlled greenfield corridor connecting Nashik, Solapur, and Akkalkot in Maharashtra. The project will be developed on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) toll model, spanning 374 km with an estimated capital cost of Rs 19,142 crore.
The corridor aims to enhance connectivity between key regional cities, including Nashik, Ahilyanagar, and Solapur, while linking to Kurnool and integrating with major national infrastructure networks under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.
The Nashik-Akkalkot corridor will connect to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway near Vadhawan Port interchange, the Agra-Mumbai corridor in Nashik at NH-60 (Adegaon), and the Samruddhi Mahamarg at Pangri. Once operational, the corridor will provide seamless west-to-east coast connectivity, complementing ongoing 4-lane projects from Chennai to Kurnool via Thiruvallur, Renigunta, Kadappa, and Hasapur.
Designed as a high-speed access-controlled expressway, the corridor is expected to reduce travel time by 17 hours and shorten the route by 201 km. It will facilitate efficient logistics and freight movement to major National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) nodes, including Kopparthy and Orvakal. The Nashik-Talegaon Dighe section will also support the Pune-Nashik Expressway development identified by NICDC.
With design speeds of 100 km/h and average tolling speeds of 60 km/h, the project will ensure uninterrupted, safer travel for both passenger and freight vehicles, while easing congestion and lowering operating costs. It is projected to boost economic development across Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Dharashiv, and Solapur districts.
The project is expected to generate approximately 251.06 lac man-days of direct employment and 313.83 lac man-days of indirect employment, along with additional job opportunities from increased economic activity along the corridor.