Maharashtra Government Clarifies Position on Nagpur-Ratnagiri Highway Expansion
The Maharashtra state government has officially clarified that it has no current plans to expand the existing Nagpur-Ratnagiri national highway to either six or eight lanes. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde made this announcement during a session of the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Monday, emphasizing that the highway falls under the jurisdiction of the central government and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
No Proposal from NHAI for Widening
Responding to a starred question raised by MLCs including Satej Patil, Abhijit Wanjarri, and Sudhakar Adbale, Shinde informed the House that the NHAI has not submitted any formal proposal for widening the highway. The Ratnagiri-Nagpur corridor, which comprises National Highway 166, National Highway 52, and National Highway 361, spans approximately 925.7 kilometers and is entirely under NHAI control.
Shinde detailed that most sections of this corridor are already four-laned, with land acquired at widths of 60 meters and 45 meters. The total project cost for the existing infrastructure stands at about Rs 29,332 crore. He reiterated that there is no proposal from NHAI to upgrade the highway to six or eight lanes, putting to rest speculation about immediate expansion plans.
Criticism of Proposed Shaktipeeth Expressway
During the session, several MLCs voiced strong criticism of the proposed Shaktipeeth Expressway, which is designed as an access-controlled highway for a different purpose than the existing routes. The legislators raised multiple concerns:
- The expressway runs parallel to the existing highway, potentially duplicating infrastructure.
- It imposes a financial burden of nearly Rs 1 lakh crore on the state.
- There are risks of damage to agricultural land, forests, and wildlife habitats.
- Neither temple committees nor devotees have demanded such a project.
- Key shrines from Paonar in Wardha district to Paratwada in Amravati district are already well-connected by the current highway.
- The existing route does not experience major traffic congestion, questioning the necessity of the new expressway.
Defense of Shaktipeeth Expressway Project
In response to these concerns, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde defended the Shaktipeeth Expressway project, highlighting its potential benefits. He stated that the expressway, which will start at Paonar and extend to the Sindhudurg-Goa border, is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Nagpur and Goa from around 18 hours to approximately 8 hours.
Shinde assured the House that the project has been meticulously planned:
- A detailed project report has been prepared in accordance with Indian Roads Congress (IRC) standards.
- The report is based on comprehensive studies of current and projected traffic volumes.
- Multiple alignment options were evaluated in consultation with landowners and public representatives.
- Land acquisition will follow government norms with fair compensation provided to affected parties.
- All necessary wildlife clearances have been processed to mitigate environmental impacts.
The clarification from the Maharashtra government underscores the jurisdictional divide between state and central authorities in highway management, while also addressing the contentious debate surrounding new infrastructure projects like the Shaktipeeth Expressway. As development plans proceed, balancing economic growth with environmental and social concerns remains a key challenge for policymakers.
