14k-crore allocated for phase-2 of Shirur-Sambhajinagar expressway

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The state budget on Friday announced Rs14,886 crore for six-laning of Shirur to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Greenfield expressway of 192.5 km. The expressway project, which has a total estimated cost of Rs22,400 crore, aims to boost fast and direct connectivity between Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, covering a total length of 245.9 km in two phases.Developed by the Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC), the second phase of the project has received the fund allocation while the phase one covering 53.4 km stretch from Kharadi Junction to Shirur Bypass, is expected to receive funding in near future. As per MSIDC records, around 2,500 hectares of land acquisition is required for the project, making it a tough job for the state govt. The expressway will come up along the existing highway that witnesses heavy traffic.Local industry leaders have demanded that the proposed expressway should reach up to Shendra Interchange on the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. "The proposed expressway will create high-speed connectivity to Shendra-Bidkin, Jalna Dry Port and major industrial hubs. These projects together will position Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar as a rising logistics and manufacturing powerhouse," Atharveshraj Nandawat, vice-president of Chamber of Marathwada Industries and Agriculture (CMIA), said.Mangesh Relgaokar, a private firm professional who frequently travels on the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar-Pune route, said the proposed greenfield expressway is expected to save a lot of time for travellers.