Is the Shaktipeeth Expressway really necessary? Will it be as beneficial as the Samruddhi Expressway?

                The Shaktipeeth Expressway is a planned 802-km-long, six-lane, access-controlled expressway that will connect Maharashtra’s third-largest city, Nagpur, with the state of Goa. Passing through 12 districts of Maharashtra and one district of Goa, it will significantly reduce both travel time and distance from 18–20 hours to just 7–8 hours, and from 1,110 km to 802 km.

The project is not only socio-economically important but also holds spiritual significance, as it connects three Shakti Peethas—Mahalakshmi, Tuljabhavani, and Patradevi—along with two of the twelve Jyotirlingas: Aundha Nagnath and Parli Vaijnath. However, the expressway has been controversial since its conception. The major issues include alleged inflated land acquisition costs and inadequate compensation for farmers.

This raises a crucial question: Is the Shaktipeeth Expressway really necessary when parallel highways connecting Nagpur to Goa already exist? Will it be as beneficial as the Samruddhi Expressway?

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Like the Shaktipeeth Expressway, the Samruddhi Expressway also faced several challenges at the initial stages of its development. However, the Maharashtra government not only resolved these issues but also completed the project in a relatively short time. As its name suggests, the Samruddhi Expressway has truly brought prosperity to the socio-economically backward regions of Vidarbha and Marathwada.

Cities such as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar are transforming into automobile hubs, with companies like JSW, Toyota Kirloskar, and Ather establishing their manufacturing plants there. Similarly, Nagpur is rapidly emerging as a renewable energy manufacturing hub as well as a defence and aerospace center. Even a remote, Naxal-affected district like Gadchiroli is shaping up to become the next steel city of India.

Additionally, the Maharashtra government has planned to develop 20 Krushi Vikas Kendras, which will further boost regional development and generate large-scale employment. The Samruddhi Expressway has clearly acted as a catalyst for industrialization across these regions.

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Conclusion

In my opinion, the Shaktipeeth Expressway should be constructed as soon as possible, as it will pass through other underdeveloped regions of Vidarbha, Marathwada, and western Maharashtra. Once completed, these regions are likely to witness exponential growth through industrial development and socio-economic progress, particularly by creating employment opportunities that are currently lacking.

The expressway will also promote pilgrimage tourism in Vidarbha and Marathwada due to the high concentration of religious sites in these regions. The project is expected to cost around ₹85,000 crore, and nearly 70% of the land acquisition has already been completed. If completed by 2030, it will further strengthen Maharashtra’s position as an economic powerhouse.