Latest news with #Shaktipeeths
India Today
5 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Maharashtra approves Rs 20,787 crores for Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway
The Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday approved 20,787 crores in land acquisition for the 802 km Maharashtra Shaktipeeth expressway connecting Pavnar (Wardha) to Patradevi (Sindhudurg) on the Maharashtra-Goa expressway will link 12 districts namely Wardha, Yavatmal, Hingoli, Nanded, Parbhani, Beed, Latur, Dharashiv, Solapur, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Sindhudurg and connect to the Konkan aims to enhance pilgrimage tourism by linking major spiritual sites, including Shaktipeeths like Mahur, Tuljapur, and Kolhapur, as well as Ambajogai, Pandharpur's Shri Vitthal Rukmini Temple, and Jyotirlingas at Aundha Nagnath and Parli Vaijnath. The corridor will cut travel time from Nagpur to Goa from 18 to 8 However, despite its potential to boost tourism, the project faces strong opposition from farmers, particularly in Western Maharashtra, over land minister Hasan Mushrif and Health minister Prakash Abitkar, both from Kolhapur raised concerns in the cabinet, citing farmer backlash that impacted the Mahayuti coalition in recent elections. They urged dialogue with affected farmers to address response, the cabinet approved a partial alignment from Pavanar to Sangli, covering over 700 km, while scrapping the route through Kolhapur's Shirol, Karvir, Hatkanangale, Kagal, Bhudargad, and Ajara Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed MSRDC to propose an alternative alignment for the Sangli-Sindhudurg stretch, with consultations planned involving local stakeholders told sources. Also, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar while speaking to reporters confirmed the government's willingness to adjust the alignment to address farmer concerns, emphasising no forced expressway, positioned as a cultural and religious corridor, will enhance connectivity across Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Western Maharashtra, linking key pilgrimage sites like Mahalaxmi Temple (Kolhapur), Tulja Bhavani Temple (Dharashiv), and Renuka Mata Shakti Peeth (Nanded).The project, executed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), includes 12,000 crores from Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) loan for acquiring nearly 7500 hectares of land. - Ends
News18
12 hours ago
- Business
- News18
Religious Tourism, Student Welfare, Urban Infra Get Boost In Maharashtra Cabinet Decisions
Last Updated: The state cabinet has sanctioned Rs 20,000 crore for the Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Expressway, to link 18 significant pilgrimage sites across the state In a major boost to both infrastructure and welfare, the Maharashtra cabinet has cleared several key proposals, including the ambitious Shaktipeeth Expressway connecting Pavnar in Wardha district to Patradevi on the Maharashtra-Goa border. The expressway aims to link 18 significant pilgrimage sites across the state, including the three and a half Shaktipeeths, two Jyotirlingas, Pandharpur, and Ambejogai. The state cabinet has approved the planning and land acquisition for the high-speed corridor, to be developed through a dedicated project corporation. A provision of Rs 20,000 crore has been made for its implementation, aiming to improve regional connectivity and boost religious tourism. Focusing on the welfare of tribal communities, the state government has approved a substantial increase in allowances for students residing in government-run tribal hostels. The monthly subsistence and meal allowances will now be doubled, offering relief to families from economically weaker backgrounds. Furthermore, the annual allowance for the purchase of educational materials has also been significantly increased, a step that is expected to enhance access to quality education for thousands of tribal students across Maharashtra. The cabinet also granted revised administrative approval for the Koyna Dam Base Hydroelectric Project, one of the state's key renewable energy initiatives. In a move aimed at simplifying the tax regime, the government will introduce a new Maharashtra Goods and Services Tax Bill in the upcoming legislative session. Amendments to facilitate the settlement of pending taxes, interest, penalties, and late fees for public sector undertakings will also be introduced. Other notable decisions include a waiver of Rs 31.75 crore in resettlement fees for people displaced from land reserved for the High Court complex at Bandra East. These premises will now be transferred to the public works department free of cost. The government also approved the use of 7,000 sq m of cemetery land in Mouje Chikhali, Pimpri-Chinchwad, for a sewage treatment plant. Additionally, the state will guarantee a Rs 2,000 crore HUDCO loan under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme, benefitting water and sewage projects in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nagpur, and Mira-Bhayandar. First Published:
Indian Express
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Maharashtra Cabinet gives nod to acquire land, approves Rs 20,000 cr
The Maharashtra Cabinet Tuesday approved acquisition of land for the proposed Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway project, which was halted due to farmers' protests in Kolhapur in 2024. The Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also approved Rs 20,000 crore for land acquisition and planning, while the entire project cost is estimated to be Rs 80,000 crore. The proposed 802-kilometre high-speed corridor, officially known as the Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Mahamarg, will connect Pavnar in Wardha district to Patradevi in Sindhudurg, near the Maharashtra-Goa border. Once completed, the expresway will link 18 major pilgrimage destinations, including three-and-a-half Shaktipeeths, two Jyotirlingas, and spiritual centres such as Pandharpur and Ambajogai, cutting across 11 districts. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will implement the project, with the land acquisition and initial planning process to be overseen by the Public Works Department (PWD). The Cabinet decision comes nearly six months after the Devendra Fadnavis-led government formally revived the project in January 2025, following a period of uncertainty. The previous Mahayuti government, under then CM Eknath Shinde, in June 2024 put the project on hold after mounting opposition from farmers and political leaders, including members of the ruling coalition. The primary concern was the large-scale acquisition of private agricultural land. Of the 8,419 hectares required for the project, nearly 8,100 hectares belong to individual farmers. Protests, particularly in Kolhapur and surrounding sugar belt districts, gained momentum, prompting the then government to put the project in abeyance. Just days after being sworn in, CM Fadnavis directed the PWD to resume work on the corridor, signalling renewed political will to push forward one of the most ambitious greenfield infrastructure projects in the state. Beyond transportation, the Shaktipeeth Expressway is projected as a religious and cultural corridor aimed at enhancing pilgrimage connectivity across Vidarbha, Marathwada, and western Maharashtra. The expressway will pass through Wardha, Yavatmal, Hingoli, Nanded, Parbhani, Latur, Beed, Dharashiv, Solapur, Kolhapur and Sindhudurg. Officials say the project will significantly reduce travel time, boost tourism, and support local economies in regions that remain underdeveloped or poorly connected by rail and road.
News18
17 hours ago
- Business
- News18
Maharashtra's New 802-Km Expressway To Link Shaktipeeths, Cut Nagpur-Goa Travel To 8 Hours
Last Updated: The expressway will run from Pavnar in Wardha district to Patradevi on the Maharashtra-Goa border in Sindhudurg, passing through Wardha, Yavatmal, Hingoli, Nanded, and Sindhudurg In a major push for connectivity and tourism, the Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday approved an allocation of Rs 20,787 crore for the ambitious 802-km 'Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Expressway' project. The new high-speed corridor will link key pilgrimage centres across 12 districts and drastically cut travel time between Nagpur and Goa from the current 18 hours to just eight, officials said. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. To address concerns about land acquisition, the Chief Minister instructed that discussions be held with farmers in areas where there is local opposition to the project. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will implement the expressway, while HUDCO has sanctioned a loan of Rs 12,000 crore for the acquisition of nearly 7,500 hectares of land required for the project. 'Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Expressway' The project will link eastern Maharashtra with southern Konkan. It aims to link all `Shaktipeeths' in the state and develop rural areas through tourism and connectivity, officials said. The expressway will run from Pavnar in Wardha district to Patradevi on the Maharashtra-Goa border in Sindhudurg, passing through Wardha, Yavatmal, Hingoli, Nanded, Parbhani, Beed, Latur, Dharashiv, Solapur, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Sindhudurg districts. Besides connecting Shaktipeeths such as Mahur, Tuljapur, and Kolhapur, the expressway will also provide seamless access to other major spiritual and historical sites, including Pandharpur, Ambajogai, Aundha Nagnath and Parli Vaijnath Jyotirlings, as well as Karanja-Lad, Akkalkot, Audumber, and Narsobachi Wadi. Maharashtra is home to three major Shaktipeeths — Saptashrungi Devi in Nashik, Mahalakshmi Devi in Kolhapur, and Tulja Bhavani in Tuljapur — while several other important shrines like Renuka Devi in Mahur, Jagadamba Devi in Ambejogai, and Yamai Devi in Aundh are also revered as part of the state's broader Shaktipeeth circuit, often promoted through spiritual tourism initiatives. Officials said the expressway aims to enhance rural development through improved connectivity and promote religious tourism by linking all major Shaktipeeths across Maharashtra. (with PTI inputs) First Published:
India.com
18 hours ago
- Business
- India.com
Maharashtra Cabinet Clears 802 Km Shaktipeeth Expressway
Mumbai: The Maharashtra Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Tuesday approved the much-debated 802-km six-lane Shaktipeeth Expressway connecting 18 pilgrimage sites, including three and a half Shaktipeeths, two Jyotirlingas and Pandharpur, Ambajogai in the state. The project cost is estimated at Rs 86,300 crore and will pass through 12 districts. The state-run Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation is the nodal agency for its development. The cabinet cleared a provision of Rs 20,000 crore for the project design and land acquisition. The expressway has been proposed from Pawanar in Wardha district to Patradevi in Sindhudurg district. This will reduce the travel time from the present 18 to 20 hours to just 8-10 hours. According to the government sources, it aims to boost tourism, regional development, and provide easier access to spiritual sites. The expressway will pass through three Shakti Peethas of Mahalaxmi (Kolhapur), Tulja Bhawani (Dharashiv) and Patradevi (Goa), two Jyotirlingas of Aundha Nagnath (Hingoli) and Parli Vaijnath (Beed), historic town of Pandharpur, which houses the Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Mandir. Last week, Chief Minister Fadnavis had directed the Finance Department to allocate Rs 12,000 crore required in connection with land acquisition for the proposed Shaktipeeth Expressway. "Delays in projects lead to major cost escalations. All agencies concerned have been assigned specific timelines, and strict adherence to these is necessary. The land acquisition process must be treated with seriousness and executed in mission mode," he said. CM Fadnavis, who has been a strong advocate of the Shaktipeeth Expressway, claimed the project will open up new opportunities and transform the state. He clarified that the government will not force the project on anyone, saying that the government will sit and understand the issues of farmers. While a section of farmers is protesting, another lot has plans to have gatherings to show their support for the project, he noted. Today's Cabinet approval comes amid strong protests by opposition parties, farmers and villagers who claimed that the proposed highway will damage their irrigated farmlands and is being planned for the benefit of contractors. The Maha Vikas Aghadi has been opposing the project, claiming that it will affect farmers badly and benefit contractors. The opposition parties are expected to take up the issue during the upcoming Monsoon Session of the state legislature, starting June 30 in Mumbai. The Mahayuti government, ahead of state Assembly elections last year, had put on hold the land acquisition for the expressway in the wake of strong protests, especially from Kolhapur district. The Mahayuti partners BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP, had feared an electoral loss if the land acquisition had been carried out. However, the government has revived it now.
