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Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
State govt approves Rs20k cr for Shaktipeeth Expressway land acquisition
Nagpur: The state govt has approved an allocation of Rs20,000 crore to acquire land for the Shaktipeeth Expressway connecting Pavnar in Vidarbha's Wardha district to Patradevi in Goa. This includes provision of Rs12,000 crore to be raised as loan to fund the taking over of the locals' land and Rs8,000 crore towards the interest outgo of the debt. One of the pet projects of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Shaktipeeth Expressway will be developed on the lines of the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Mahamarg, which is an access-controlled highway. The over 800km Shaktipeeth Expressway is expected to reduce the road travel time to Goa by 8 to 10 hours. At present, it takes around 20 hours to reach the state. The project also faced opposition in parts of Kolhapur district, where locals with land along the stretch are not willing to give up their holdings. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), which is implementing the project, will be raising debt for the land acquisition. The funds are likely to be borrowed from the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), and the MSRDC has already secured an in-principle approval from the agency. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Seniors Born 1939-1969 Receive 11 Benefits This Month If They Ask SuperSavings Learn More Undo You Can Also Check: Nagpur AQI | Weather in Nagpur | Bank Holidays in Nagpur | Public Holidays in Nagpur "The loan's tenure may be for 15 years," said joint managing director of MSRDC, Anilkumar Gaikwad, adding, "The plan is to finish the joint measurement of the land by August. The actual process of land acquisition is planned to be completed by December." The exact area of the land required for the road will be estimated based on the measurement, which is underway, a source said. In August last year, the state govt withdrew the application for securing an environmental clearance (EC) for the project from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MOEFCC). This put the ambitious project on hold. The EC was withdrawn considering the opposition to the expressway in parts of Kolhapur. However, in February, the project was revived with a fresh EC for the stretch where there is no opposition from the locals. A decision on the patches where the project is facing opposition would be taken at a higher level, said an official who is part of the project. The expressway would connect 18 religious shrines in both states, hence the name Shaktipeeth. This includes three Shaktipeeths (shrines of goddess) and another temple of the same tradition. This gives the pilgrimage the name Sade Teen Shaktipeeth, one of the most frequented places of worship in the state. The current cost of the project is estimated at over Rs84,000 crore, said sources.


Time of India
20-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
MSRDC to complete land acquisition for key infra projects by year-end
Pune: The state govt will disburse Rs17,000 crore to acquire land linked to major infrastructure projects being implemented by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) On Thursday, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis held a high-level meeting with senior bureaucrats and MSRDC officials. He directed them to expedite land acquisition across multiple big-ticket projects and ensure no delays occur because of administrative bottlenecks. Nine critical MSRDC-led projects — including expressways and multimodal corridors — were reviewed. The govt aims to complete all land acquisition for listed projects by the end of the year, paving the way for timely execution and seamless infrastructure development across the state. Vice-chairman and managing director of MSRDC Anilkumar Gaikwad told TOI that land acquisition for the Pune Ring Road and the Jalna–Nanded expressway is nearing completion. "For the remaining projects — such as the multimodal Virar–Alibaug expressway, the Shaktipeeth expressway, three major roads in Vidarbha and the Navgaon–Morgaon and Vadhwan–Samruddhi connectors — land measurement is underway. All this is part of the acquisition process," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Everybody Is Switching To This Enterprise Accounting Software [Take a Look] Accounting ERP Click Here Undo Gaikwad said the state govt has approved Rs36,000 crore to acquire land and the additional Rs17,000 crore will be cleared in phases as the process progresses. "The CM has made it clear that acquisition delays will escalate project costs and should be avoided," he said. Of the Rs36,000 crore approved — Rs 9,000 crore is allocated to the Pune Ring Road, Rs2,140 crore to Jalna–Nanded expressway and Rs22,000 crore to the Virar–Alibaug multimodal corridor. The CM also stressed the importance of determining the implementation model — whether via Public-Private Partnership or Build-Operate-Transfer — once land acquisition is complete. Land measurement for Shaktipeeth expressway is complete in 86 of the 300 villages involved, with joint measurement expected to finish by Aug. The expressway, dubbed the Golden Triangle, will connect key religious and economic zones across Nagpur, Mumbai and Goa. "It will enhance north-to-east connectivity and function as a pilgrim circuit," said a senior MSRDC official. Fadnavis directed that the Shaktipeeth expressway plan be finalised with minimal impact on forest land. He instructed the finance department to release Rs12,000 crore for land acquisition and ordered the forest department to begin the process of obtaining necessary clearances — particularly for the ecologically sensitive Morbe to Karanja section of the Virar–Alibaug corridor — without delaying parallel administrative work. The CM said the Vadhwan–Igatpuri expressway plan should be finalised. In Vidarbha, plans for the Bhandara–Gadchiroli, Nagpur–Chandrapur and Nagpur–Gondiya expressways are to be finalised on priority. Other key infrastructure projects discussed included the Navegaon (Mor)–Surjagad mineral corridor, as well as the Wardha–Nanded and Vadsa–Gadchiroli railway projects. The meeting also reviewed land acquisition for proposed airports at Kolhapur, Karad, Akola, Gadchiroli and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Fadnavis said, "Agencies must work on mission mode. Land acquisition should begin immediately and officials must follow the defined timelines strictly."


News18
07-06-2025
- Automotive
- News18
MSRDC Proposes 10-Lane Upgrade For Mumbai-Pune Expressway To Ease Growing Traffic
Last Updated: The total estimated cost for the entire widening project is Rs 14,260 crore, with construction costs alone around Rs 8,440 crore The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has announced a major upgrade to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, proposing to expand it into a 10-lane superhighway. The move comes as a long-term solution to tackle increasing congestion on one of India's busiest and most expensive expressways. 'This is an upgrade from our earlier proposal to make it an eight-lane facility. The latest plan will cost around Rs 1,420 crore," said Anilkumar Gaikwad, MSRDC Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, on Friday. Gaikwad told The Times of India that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is being finalised and will be submitted to the state government for approval. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway, India's first and oldest access-controlled expressway, was inaugurated in 2002 and stretches 94.6 km. Built by the MSRDC at an initial cost of about Rs 1.63 lakh crore, the expressway connects Mumbai with Pune — a key educational and industrial hub in Maharashtra. Currently, the expressway sees around 65,000 vehicles on weekdays and over 1 lakh on weekends. With traffic volume growing by nearly 5–6% each year, MSRDC believes that expanding the corridor is essential to keep pace with demand. Presently, a trip between the two cities takes about two hours under normal conditions, but weekend congestion often extends travel time by an hour. The proposed expansion is expected to reduce this delay significantly, offering smoother travel even during peak periods. The total estimated cost for the entire widening project is Rs 14,260 crore, with construction costs alone around Rs 8,440 crore. Interestingly, MSRDC plans to fund the project through toll collections instead of relying on government funds. 'We will bank on toll collection," Gaikwad said, adding that the financing model — either Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) or annuity — will be decided later. The current toll agreement is valid until 2045, and MSRDC may seek an extension if the expansion is approved. If implemented, the 10-lane upgrade could transform the expressway into a faster and more efficient route, easing pressure on one of India's most vital road links. First Published:


Time of India
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
MSRDC wants to make Mum-Pune E-way 10-lane superhighway
Pune: MSRDC wants to transform the Mumbai-Pune Expressway into a 10-lane superhighway to tide over traffic snarls and cater to the future demands of vehicular movement along the corridor, one of the busiest in the country. "This is an upgrade from our earlier proposal to make the expressway an eight-lane facility. The latest upgrade will cost around Rs1,420 crore. The DPR is being finalised and will be submitted to govt for approval," Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) vice-chairman and managing director Anilkumar Gaikwad told TOI on Friday. Inaugurated in 2002, the expressway is a 94.6-km stretch connecting the bustling metropolis of Mumbai to Pune, Maharashtra's industrial and educational hub. It currently carries an estimated 65,000 vehicles daily during weekdays. The number increases to over 100,000 during weekends. With traffic volume increasing by approximately 5-6% on a year-on-year basis, the MSRDC's proposed expansion is seen as a long-term solution to the congestion. The latest project involves widening of the current infrastructure. While the construction cost is expected to be around Rs8,440 crore, the overall average cost of the project will be Rs 14,260 crore. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรด Bitcoin และ Ethereum - ไม่ต้องใช้กระเป๋าเงิน! IC Markets เริ่มต้นตอนนี้ Undo "Instead of seeking funds from govt, we will bank on toll collection," Gaikwad said. The financing model — whether Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) or annuity — is yet to be decided. The current toll collection for the Pune-Mumbai Expressway is valid till 2045. MSRDC would seek an extension if the expressway widening gets approval to make the project self-sustaining. At present, the journey between Mumbai and Pune takes about two hours under normal conditions. However, weekend rush hours and holiday traffic can stretch that drive by an additional hour. According to MSRDC, the proposed expansion could virtually eliminate this extended travel time, offering smoother rides even during peak periods. If approved and executed as envisioned, the expansion could become one of India's most ambitious road infrastructure upgrades — a critical step toward matching the country's rapid growth in vehicle ownership with high-capacity transit corridors, an MSRDC official said. MLA Mahesh Landge has in a social media post recently said the expansion would ensure necessary respite from traffic congestion on the e-way. "This is a long-awaited demand. The expansion is needed considering the heavy traffic along the e-way," he told TOI. People frequently travelling on the e-way are of the view that the state govt should not delay in the expansion work and carry out the project in phases to ensure that there was no traffic congestion. "Frequent traffic snarls are becoming an impediment for travellers. The expansion proposal should be immediately cleared and work should commence," said Manisha Khandekar, a frequent traveller. The expressway — which begins at Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai and ends at Kiwale near Pune — is India's first access-controlled express highway. While work on the 13-km "missing link" project is on, which will facilitate 10 lanes in the Khandala Ghat section, the proposed expansion would cover the remaining 67km of the route. According to MSRDC, land acquisition challenges were expected to be minimal. "MSRDC already holds land adjacent to most parts of the existing expressway. Only limited additional land near tunnels will be needed. These land parcels are near the tunnel zones," said an official involved with the project. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !


Time of India
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
MSRDC wants to transform Pune-Mumbai Expressway into 10-lane ‘superhighway'
Pune: MSRDC wants to transform Pune-Mumbai Expressway into a 10-lane "superhighway" to tide over traffic snarls and cater to the future demands of vehicular movement along the corridor, one of the busiest in the country. "This is an upgrade from our earlier proposal to make the expressway an eight-lane facility. The latest upgrade will cost around Rs1,420 crore. The DPR is being finalised and will be submitted to govt for approval," Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) vice-chairman and managing director Anilkumar Gaikwad told TOI on Friday. Inaugurated in 2002, the expressway is a 94.6-km stretch connecting the bustling metropolis of Mumbai to Pune, Maharashtra's industrial and educational hub. It currently carries an estimated 65,000 vehicles daily during weekdays. The number increases to over 100,000 during weekends. With traffic volume increasing by approximately 5-6% on a year-on-year basis, the MSRDC's proposed expansion is seen as a long-term solution to the congestion. The latest project involves widening of the current infrastructure. While the construction cost is expected to be around Rs8,440 crore, the overall average cost of the project will be Rs 14,260 crore. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo "Instead of seeking funds from govt, we will bank on toll collection," Gaikwad said. The financing model — whether Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) or annuity — is yet to be decided. The current toll collection for the Pune-Mumbai Expressway is valid till 2045. MSRDC would seek an extension if the expressway widening gets approval to make the project self-sustaining. At present, the journey between Mumbai and Pune takes about two hours under normal conditions. However, weekend rush hours and holiday traffic can stretch that drive by an additional hour. According to MSRDC, the proposed expansion could virtually eliminate this extended travel time, offering smoother rides even during peak periods. If approved and executed as envisioned, the expansion could become one of India's most ambitious road infrastructure upgrades — a critical step toward matching the country's rapid growth in vehicle ownership with high-capacity transit corridors, an MSRDC official said. MLA Mahesh Landge has in a social media post recently said the expansion would ensure necessary respite from traffic congestion on the e-way. "This is a long-awaited demand. The expansion is needed considering the heavy traffic along the e-way," he told TOI. People frequently travelling on the e-way are of the view that the state govt should not delay in the expansion work and carry out the project in phases to ensure that there was no traffic congestion. "Frequent traffic snarls are becoming an impediment for travellers. The expansion proposal should be immediately cleared and work should commence," said Manisha Khandekar, a frequent traveller. The expressway — which begins at Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai and ends at Kiwale near Pune — is India's first access-controlled express highway. While work on the 13-km "missing link" project is on, which will facilitate 10 lanes in the Khandala Ghat section, the proposed expansion would cover the remaining 67km of the route. According to MSRDC, land acquisition challenges were expected to be minimal. "MSRDC already holds land adjacent to most parts of the existing expressway. Only limited additional land near tunnels will be needed. These land parcels are near the tunnel zones," said an official involved with the project. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !