The Union Cabinet has given the green light to a six-lane, access-controlled greenfield corridor. It will connect Nashik, Solapur and Akkalkot in Maharashtra, with a total project cost of Rs 19,142 crore. The project has been approved under the BOT (toll) model and will span 374 km.

Planned under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, the corridor is designed to strengthen integrated transport infrastructure. It aims to improve connectivity between key regional centres such as Nashik, Ahilyanagar and Solapur, with onward links towards Kurnool. Once completed, it will enable seamless travel between the West and East Coasts.

The proposed highway will link to the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway near the Vadhawan port interchange. It will also connect with the Agra–Mumbai corridor at Nashik via NH-60 and integrate with the Samruddhi Mahamarg at Pangri near Nashik. On the eastern side, it will tie into the under-construction corridors from Chennai to Hasapur on the Maharashtra border.

According to the government, the access-controlled corridor is expected to significantly improve travel efficiency. Travel time on the route is projected to fall by around 45%, from nearly 31 hours to about 17 hours. Moreover, the overall travel distance will reduce by 201 km. The project will also enhance freight movement linked to major industrial nodes at Kopparthy and Orvakal.

The Nashik–Talegaon Dighe stretch will meet the long-standing requirement for a Pune–Nashik Expressway. The NICDC has identified this as part of a new expressway initiative undertaken by the Maharashtra government.

Designed as a high-speed corridor, the road will support average speeds of 60 kmph and a design speed of 100 kmph. This will enable safer, uninterrupted traffic flow. Beyond connectivity, the project is expected to drive regional development across Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Dharashiv and Solapur districts.

In terms of employment, the corridor is projected to generate over 251 lakh person-days of direct employment. It will also create nearly 314 lakh person-days of indirect employment. Additionally, there will be job creation from increased economic activity along the route.

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