Cabinet Clears ₹19,142-Crore Nashik–Solapur–Akkalkot Greenfield Highway

Cabinet Approval for Strategic Highway Project

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the construction of a six-lane, access-controlled greenfield highway corridor connecting Nashik, Solapur and Akkalkot in Maharashtra. The project, cleared under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi , entails an investment of ₹19,142 crore and is expected to transform regional connectivity, logistics efficiency and economic activity across central and southern Maharashtra.

Project Design and Execution Model

The corridor will span 374 kilometres and will be developed on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) toll mode . Designed as a high-speed, access-controlled highway, it will support average travel speeds of 60 kmph with a design speed of up to 100 kmph . The project is part of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan , which aims to create integrated, multimodal infrastructure and reduce logistics costs nationwide.

Connectivity and Network Integration

The highway will link key urban and industrial centres including Nashik, Ahilyanagar and Solapur , with onward connectivity towards Kurnool . It will integrate with major national corridors such as the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway near the Vadhawan Port interchange, the Agra–Mumbai corridor at Nashik, and the Samruddhi Mahamarg near Pangri. This integration will enable smoother east–west freight and passenger movement.

Travel Time and Logistics Benefits

Once operational, the corridor is expected to reduce travel time from about 31 hours to nearly 17 hours , a reduction of around 45 per cent , while shortening travel distance by nearly 201 kilometres . Freight movement linked to industrial nodes under the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation , including Kopparthy and Orvakal , is likely to gain significantly. The Nashik–Talegaon Dighe stretch will also complement the proposed Pune–Nashik Expressway .

Economic Impact and Employment

The project is expected to ease congestion, enhance road safety and lower vehicle operating costs. It will stimulate regional development across Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Dharashiv and Solapur districts . In employment terms, it is projected to generate around 251 lakh man-days of direct employment and 314 lakh man-days of indirect employment , with additional job creation driven by corridor-led economic growth.

Important Facts for Exams

• Nashik–Solapur–Akkalkot corridor is a six-lane access-controlled greenfield highway

• Project cost is ₹19,142 crore under BOT toll mode

• Part of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan

• Expected to reduce travel time by about 45%