PM Modi's big push: ₹20,668 crore road projects cut travel time by 17 hours
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday made a major decision to strengthen the country's infrastructure. The government approved the construction of two major road projects with an estimated cost of ₹20,668 crore. This decision will boost connectivity and economic development in Maharashtra and Odisha, while also significantly easing travel.
A new corridor will be built in Maharashtra at a cost of Rs 19,000 crore
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the construction of the 374-kilometer Nashik-Solapur-Akkalkot corridor in Maharashtra. The project, estimated to cost ₹19,142 crore, will be implemented on a toll-based (BOT) mode. This new corridor will connect important Maharashtra cities like Nashik, Ahilyanagar, and Solapur to Kurnool. It is also proposed to connect to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway near the Vadhavan Port Interchange and the Samruddhi Mahamarg near Nashik, providing direct connectivity from the west coast to the east coast.
Speed and time savings
The biggest benefit to commuters from the construction of this 6-lane, access-controlled greenfield corridor will be time savings. Upon completion, the project will reduce the travel distance by 201 kilometers, significantly reducing the travel time by approximately 17 hours. The current 31-hour travel time will be reduced by approximately 45%, and vehicles will be able to travel at speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour. The government claims that this project will not only ease traffic flow but also create significant employment opportunities. It is estimated that it will generate millions of direct and indirect jobs, contributing to the economic development of Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Dharashiv, and Solapur districts.
Odisha's highways to be revamped
In addition to Maharashtra, the Cabinet also approved the widening and strengthening of NH-326 in Odisha. This project will be completed under EPC mode at a cost of ₹1,526.21 crore. The existing two-lane road from km 68,600 to km 311,700 will be converted to a paved shoulder road. This upgrade will improve connectivity in southern Odisha, especially in the Gajapati, Rayagada, and Koraput districts, boosting local markets, healthcare services, and tourism.