Cabinet Clears Nashik–Solapur Six-Lane Greenfield Corridor

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the construction of a six-lane, access-controlled greenfield highway corridor connecting Nashik, Solapur and Akkalkot in Maharashtra. The project, cleared under the chairmanship of Prime Minister “Narendra Modi”, involves an investment of ₹19,142 crore and is expected to significantly enhance regional connectivity and logistics efficiency.

Project Scope and Implementation Model

The proposed corridor will span 374 kilometres and will be developed on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) toll mode. Designed as a high-speed, access-controlled highway, it will support average vehicular speeds of 60 kmph, with a design speed of up to 100 kmph. The project forms part of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, aimed at strengthening integrated and multimodal transport infrastructure across the country.

Strategic Connectivity and Network Integration

The corridor will connect major regional centres such as Nashik, Ahilyanagar and Solapur, with onward connectivity to Kurnool. It will link with key national infrastructure projects, including the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway near the Vadhawan Port interchange, the Agra–Mumbai corridor at Nashik, and the Samruddhi Mahamarg near Pangri. Once operational, it is expected to enable seamless connectivity between India’s west and east coasts.

Logistics Gains and Travel Efficiency

According to the government, the project will reduce travel time from about 31 hours to nearly 17 hours, a cut of around 45 per cent, while also shortening travel distance by approximately 201 kilometres. Freight movement is expected to benefit significantly, especially cargo linked to major nodes of the “National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation” such as Kopparthy and Orvakal. The Nashik–Talegaon Dighe stretch will also cater to the proposed Pune–Nashik Expressway requirement being pursued by the Maharashtra government.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• The Nashik–Solapur corridor is a six-lane, access-controlled greenfield highway.
• The project cost is ₹19,142 crore and will be developed on BOT toll mode.
• It is part of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.
• The corridor will reduce travel time by about 45 per cent.

Economic Impact and Employment Generation

The corridor is expected to reduce congestion, improve road safety, and lower vehicle operating costs while ensuring uninterrupted passenger and freight movement. It is also projected to boost regional economic development across Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Dharashiv and Solapur districts. In employment terms, the project is estimated to generate around 251 lakh man-days of direct employment and nearly 314 lakh man-days of indirect employment, with additional jobs likely to emerge from increased economic activity along the route.