Maharashtra Cabinet has given the nod for the 802-km Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Expressway, with an allocation of Rs 20,787 crore. This new high-speed corridor will connect Pavnar in Wardha district to Patradevi on the Maharashtra-Goa border in Sindhudurg, significantly reducing travel time between Nagpur and Goa from 18 hours to just eight.

Chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Cabinet meeting emphasised the project's intent to foster connectivity and boost tourism by linking 12 districts: Wardha, Yavatmal, Hingoli, Nanded, Parbhani, Beed, Latur, Dharashiv, Solapur, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Sindhudurg. "Wherever there is opposition to the project for fear of land acquisition, talks should be held with the local farmers," said the Chief Minister, stressing inclusive implementation.

The expressway will connect several key pilgrimage and spiritual sites including Mahur, Tuljapur, Kolhapur, Pandharpur, Ambajogai, Aundha Nagnath, Parli Vaijnath, Karanja-Lad, Akkalkot, Audumber, and Narsobachi Wadi. It aims to link all ‘Shaktipeeths’ in the state and promote rural development. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will execute the project, with HUDCO sanctioning a Rs 12,000 crore loan for acquiring nearly 7,500 hectares of land.