Cabinet Approves ₹19,142 Crore Nashik-Solapur-Akkalkot Expressway

Syllabus: Infrastructure: Roads and Expressways

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

Why in news?

CCEA approved the 374 km 6-lane greenfield access-controlled Nashik-Solapur-Akkalkot Corridor in Maharashtra on BOT (Toll) mode.

⚛️Static Concepts

PM Gati Shakti National Master PlanBharatmala PariyojanaPPP Models in Infrastructure

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Project length: 374 km; Total capital cost: ₹19,142 crore.
Mode: BOT (Toll) – Build-Operate-Transfer with toll collection.
Connection: Links Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, Samruddhi Mahamarg, and west-east coast connectivity.
Travel time reduction: From 31 hours to approximately 17 hours (45% reduction).
Districts connected: Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Dharashiv, and Solapur.

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Examiner's Trap: This is a GREENFIELD expressway (new construction) – not an upgrade of existing highway.

Length: 374 km

Cost: ₹19,142 crore

Travel Time Saving: ~45%

Employment (Direct): 251.06 lakh man-days

GS-3: Infrastructure Planning; PM Gati Shakti.

Integrated Planning: Project aligns with PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multimodal connectivity.
Industrial Corridors: Improves logistics for NICDC nodes at Kopparthy and Orvakal.
Regional Development: Enhanced connectivity for backward districts of Maharashtra.

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