Cabinet clears Rs 19,142-crore Nashik-Solapur-Akkalkot corridor

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the construction of a six-lane, greenfield Nashik-Solapur-Akkalkot corridor in Maharashtra, with a total cost of ₹19,142 crore. The project will be built on a BOT (Toll) model and is expected to provide through connectivity from the west coast to the east coast, linking important regional cities such as Nashik, Ahilyanagar, and Solapur with broader national corridors toward Kurnool, according to an official statement. The corridor is designed to strengthen the PM Gatishakti National Master Plan framework by stitching together major highway routes and multimodal nodes across the state.

The 374-km expressway will feature six lanes and close tolling, designed for speeds of up to 100 km/h, with an average running speed expected around 60 km/h. Officials say the project will dramatically improve travel efficiency, cutting the overall travel time and distance. It includes 27 major bridges and 164 minor bridges, along with a 5.6-km elevated viaduct, and is expected to reduce the time between Nashik and Akkalkot to about 17 hours from the current roughly 31 hours, while trimming the distance by about 201 km. This reduction is aimed at boosting freight movement and logistics for key industrial corridors in the region.

The corridor is planned to integrate with other major routes, including connections to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway near the Vadhawan port interchange, the Agra-Mumbai corridor at Nashik junction with NH-60 (Adegaon), and the Samruddhi Mahamarg at Pangri. Authorities say the project will help link the west coast to the east coast, enabling smoother multimodal connectivity for passengers and cargo alike. The project is also expected to de-risk private participation by ensuring that land acquisitions and environmental clearances are largely cleared before construction begins.

Beyond cutting travel times, the Nashik-Solapur corridor is anticipated to bolster regional logistics for NICDC nodes at Kopparthy and Orvakal, supporting industries and regional growth in Maharashtra. By connecting major regional centres and industrial clusters, the project could attract investment, create jobs, and enhance supply chains for manufacturing and export-oriented activities. Officials say the plan aligns with the broader national strategy to upgrade highway corridors and improve freight corridors across the country.

If delivered on schedule, the corridor could begin reshaping regional mobility and logistics within a couple of years.

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