Maharashtra kicks off land acquisition for Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway

The Maharashtra government has taken a significant step towards the Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway. A gazette notification was published on 9 June 2023, announcing plans to acquire land for the project under the Maharashtra Highways Act, 1955. The move signals progress for the proposed high-speed corridor linking key regions of the state to Goa. The Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway aims to improve connectivity between Vidarbha, Marathwada, and western Maharashtra. It is also designed to provide a direct route to Goa, reducing travel time and boosting economic development in the districts it passes through.

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has been named as the authority overseeing the project. The government has stated that the land acquisition serves a public purpose and is necessary for the expressway’s implementation. Acquisition proceedings have now formally begun.

The gazette notification allows stakeholders to submit written objections within 21 days of its publication. The project has already drawn mixed reactions, with some supporting its potential benefits and others raising concerns. The notification represents another stage in the land acquisition process for the expressway. If completed, the project is expected to enhance regional connectivity and support economic growth. Stakeholders have a limited window to voice any objections to the proposed land use.