The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has reignited efforts to advance the Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway, an 802-kilometer, s
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has reignited efforts to advance the Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway, an 802-kilometer, six-lane greenfield project aimed at slashing travel time between Nagpur and Goa from 21 hours to approximately 10.5 hours. Recent reports indicate that the land acquisition survey, halted in September 2024 due to protests before the state assembly elections, resumed in February 2025 across most districts, except Kolhapur, where opposition remains fierce. This ambitious infrastructure initiative, connecting Pavnar near Wardha to Patradevi in North Goa, has sparked a heated debate over its economic benefits and social costs.
The expressway, designed to integrate with the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway, promises to enhance connectivity and boost economic growth by linking key pilgrimage sites and economic hubs across Maharashtra. Official statements highlight its proximity to the newly operational Manohar International Airport in Mopa, Goa, as a catalyst for regional development. The project requires approximately 27,000 acres of land, with nearly 9,500 acres targeted from Kolhapur, Solapur, and Sangli—districts that have seen the strongest resistance since June 2024. The MSRDC aims to complete the survey within months, with a target to finish the expressway by 2029, making it Maharashtra’s longest highway.
Farmers and activists, however, are pushing back, citing significant concerns over displacement, loss of fertile agricultural land, and inadequate compensation. In Latur, protests erupted on January 24, 2025, with farmers, backed by the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, opposing the acquisition of 481 acres of farmland. Similar sentiments echo across 12 districts, with a major demonstration planned for March 12, 2025, at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan during the state assembly’s budget session. The Congress party, led by figures like MLC Satej Patil, has vowed to escalate protests, arguing that existing routes already serve the Nagpur-Goa corridor, rendering the project unnecessary and disruptive.
Environmental concerns also loom large. Critics argue that the project lacks a thorough environmental impact assessment, raising fears of ecological damage in Maharashtra’s agriculturally rich regions. Posts on X reflect public sentiment, with some users decrying the potential destruction of livelihoods, while others highlight the project’s promise of faster connectivity and job creation. The MSRDC briefly withdrew its application for environmental clearance in August 2024 to revise the route alignment, a move seen as an attempt to address some of these concerns. However, skepticism persists, particularly in Kolhapur, where farmers have historically resisted large-scale land acquisition projects.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has defended the expressway, emphasizing its potential to bring “positive change” by fostering economic development and improving access to pilgrimage sites. At a recent meeting, Maharashtra officials sought Goa’s approval to extend construction near the Mopa airport, aiming to enhance regional accessibility. Yet, opposition leaders, including Ambadas Danve, have called for clarity, pointing to past assurances from former Chief Minister Eknath Shinde that the project would be scrapped if public opposition persisted. This discrepancy has fueled distrust among affected communities.
The Nagpur-Goa Expressway mirrors challenges faced by earlier projects like the Samruddhi Expressway, where farmer protests also delayed progress. Experts stress that transparent dialogue and fair compensation mechanisms are critical to balancing development goals with local interests. The MSRDC has pledged to address concerns, but with protests intensifying and legal battles looming, the project’s timeline remains uncertain. As Maharashtra navigates this complex infrastructure endeavor, the tension between progress and preservation underscores the broader challenge of sustainable development in India.
The coming months will be pivotal. The planned March 2025 protests and ongoing survey efforts will likely shape the project’s trajectory. For now, the Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway stands at a crossroads, embodying both the promise of a connected future and the cost of rapid urbanization. Its success will depend on the government’s ability to bridge divides with affected communities while delivering on its vision of transformative connectivity.
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