Overview
- The CCEA approved two projects worth ₹20,668 crore: a 374 km, six-lane Nashik–Solapur–Akkalkot greenfield corridor in Maharashtra (₹19,142 crore, BOT–toll) and the Mohana–Koraput upgrade of NH‑326 in Odisha (about ₹1,526 crore, EPC).
- The Maharashtra corridor will be access-controlled with closed tolling and major structures including 27 large bridges, 164 minor bridges and a 5.6 km viaduct, designed for 100 km/h with average operating speeds around 60 km/h.
- Officials project a 201 km reduction in distance and about 17 hours saved on the Surat–Chennai axis, cutting overall journey time by roughly 45%.
- The route will connect to the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, the Agra–Mumbai corridor and the Samruddhi Mahamarg, strengthening links to ports, airports, rail hubs and NICDC nodes at Kopparthy and Orvakal.
- Implementation plans include commencing work on the Nashik corridor once 90% of land is available, generating an estimated 565 lakh man-days of employment during construction, and delivering the Odisha works in 24 months with a five-year maintenance period.