New Delhi, Jan 2: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved highway projects worth ₹20,668 crore in Maharashtra and Odisha, aimed at improving regional connectivity, reducing travel time, generating employment and supporting economic growth under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
The approvals include the construction of a six-lane greenfield, access-controlled corridor in Maharashtra and the widening and strengthening of a key national highway in southern Odisha.
Briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the projects would significantly enhance transport efficiency and contribute to balanced regional development.
Six-lane Nashik–Solapur corridor in Maharashtra The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs cleared the construction of a 374-km-long, six-lane, access-controlled Nashik–Solapur–Akkalkot corridor at an estimated capital cost of ₹19,142 crore.
The greenfield corridor will improve connectivity between major regional centres such as Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Solapur and Kurnool, and strengthen integrated transport planning under the PM Gati Shakti framework, Vaishnaw said.
Designed for a speed of 100 kmph, the corridor will support average vehicular speeds of about 60 kmph. Once operational, it is expected to reduce overall travel time to around 17 hours, enabling faster and safer movement of passenger and freight traffic.
Employment and economic impact According to government estimates, the Nashik–Solapur project will generate about 251.06 lakh man-days of direct employment and 313.83 lakh man-days of indirect employment during the construction phase.
Officials said the corridor is also expected to spur economic activity along its alignment, creating additional opportunities in logistics, trade, services and local enterprises.
Improved freight movement is likely to benefit agricultural markets, manufacturing clusters and industrial zones across central and southern Maharashtra. NH-326 upgrade in Odisha
The Cabinet also approved the widening and strengthening of National Highway 326 in Odisha at a cost of ₹1,526.21 crore.
The project involves upgrading the existing two-lane highway into a two-lane road with paved shoulders over a length of about 206 km.
Vaishnaw said the project would make travel faster, safer and more reliable in southern Odisha, contributing to the socio-economic development of the region.
The highway passes through aspirational and tribal districts such as Gajapati, Rayagada and Koraput, which are expected to see increased economic activity after the upgrade.
The improved NH-326 will enhance connectivity to major national corridors, including the Raipur–Visakhapatnam corridor, and facilitate smoother movement of goods to Gopalpur Port and nearby industrial hubs.
Broader infrastructure push Highlighting the government’s infrastructure thrust, Vaishnaw said that since June 2024, during the third term of the Narendra Modi government, the Union Cabinet has approved infrastructure projects worth over ₹12.6 lakh crore.
These include 43 railway projects valued at more than ₹1.52 lakh crore, 24 highway projects worth ₹2.18 lakh crore, eight metro rail projects costing over ₹1.31 lakh crore, and housing projects under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana amounting to more than ₹5.36 lakh crore.
He said the investments mark a significant step towards building long-term economic capacity, improving mobility and supporting inclusive growth across the country.
