MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday (June 24, 2025) approved the design and sanctioned Rs 20,787 crore for planning and land acquisition for the 802-km-long Shaktipeeth Expressway, despite strong opposition from farmers along the proposed corridor. The Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, also approved a loan of Rs 12,000 crore from HUDCO for the acquisition of approximately 7,500 hectares of land. The project will be implemented by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

The expressway is planned to connect 12 districts, stretching from Pawnar in Wardha to Patradevi on the Maharashtra – Goa border. According to the CMO, the expressway is expected to reduce travel time between Nagpur and Goa from 18 to 8 hours. It will connect key Shakti Peethas across the state — including Mahur, Tuljapur, Mukundaraj Swami, Jogai Devi, Aundha Nagnath, Parli Vaijnath, Karanja-Lad, Akkalkot, Gangapur, Narsobachi Wadi, and Audumbara — thereby enhancing pilgrimage connectivity across Wardha, Yavatmal, Hingoli, Nanded, Parbhani, Beed, Latur, Dharashiv, Solapur, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Sindhudurg districts.

However, farmer representatives have reiterated their refusal to allow land acquisition. Former MP and farmer leader Raju Shetti, who is leading the opposition to the project, said, “Farmers from 12 districts didn’t let the government survey the land despite heavy police presence. If they bring a drone, we’ll throw stones and destroy it. No matter what, we won’t let this happen.”

Shetti and his farmer group, who have been at the forefront of the protests, accused the government of moving forward with the project despite continued resistance since its initial approval in 2023. Sit-in demonstrations, including one at Azad Maidan in Mumbai in March, were organised under his leadership.

Calling the government “robbers” acting like “owners,” Shetti alleged that land was being forcibly taken from farmers for private interests. “They’re trying to spend Rs 86,000 crore on a project worth only Rs 36,000 crore. This includes Rs 50,000 crore worth of corruption,” he claimed, also questioning the need for the project given the existence of a parallel highway between Nagpur and Kolhapur.