Maharashtra to Build New 6-Lane Access-Controlled Corridor to Boost Connectivity

The Indian government has approved a significant infrastructure project in Maharashtra, involving the construction of a 6-lane access-controlled corridor connecting Nashik, Solapur, and Akkalkot. This initiative, with an investment of Rs. 19,142 crore, aims to improve travel efficiency, reduce travel time by 17 hours, and enhance logistics for freight operations. The corridor is expected to create substantial employment opportunities and contribute to the economic development of the region. With strategic connections to major expressways, this project is set to transform transportation in Maharashtra.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 31, 2025, 16:37 IST

New Infrastructure Project Approved

New Delhi, Dec 31: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given the green light for the development of a 6-lane greenfield access-controlled corridor connecting Nashik, Solapur, and Akkalkot in Maharashtra. This project, which spans 374 kilometers, is set to be executed on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis with an estimated investment of Rs. 19,142 crore.

This new corridor aims to enhance connectivity between key regional cities, including Nashik, Ahilyanagar, and Solapur, while linking to Kurnool. According to official sources, this initiative is a crucial part of the PM Gatishakti National Master Plan, aimed at advancing integrated transport infrastructure.

The proposed corridor will link to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway at the Vadhawan port interchange, connect with the Agra-Mumbai corridor at Nashik via NH-60 (Adegaon), and join the Samruddhi Mahamarg at Pangri, near Nashik.

By facilitating seamless travel from the west coast to the east coast, this corridor will complement ongoing 4-lane projects from Chennai to Hasapur (MH Border), covering a distance of 700 kilometers through Thiruvallur, Renigunta, Kadappa, and Kurnool.

The primary goal of this six-lane access-controlled corridor is to enhance travel efficiency, with expectations to reduce travel time by 17 hours and cut down the distance by 201 kilometers.

Improved connectivity between Nashik and Akkalkot (Solapur) is anticipated to boost logistics efficiency for freight operations at major National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) nodes like Kopparthy and Orvakal. Additionally, the Nashik-Talegaon Dighe segment will address the need for the Pune-Nashik Expressway, as identified by NICDC, which is part of a new expressway initiative by the Maharashtra government.

This project is designed to provide a high-speed corridor that enhances safety and ensures smooth traffic flow, thereby minimizing travel time, congestion, and operational costs. It is expected to significantly improve the basic infrastructure in the region, fostering economic growth in Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Dharashiv, and Solapur districts.

The six-lane access-controlled corridor will facilitate average vehicle speeds of 60 km/h, with a design speed of 100 km/h. This improvement will reduce travel time from 31 hours to approximately 17 hours, ensuring safer and faster connectivity for both passenger and freight vehicles.

Moreover, the project is projected to create around 251.06 lakh man-days of direct employment and 313.83 lakh man-days of indirect employment. It is also expected to generate additional job opportunities due to the anticipated rise in economic activities around the corridor.