The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, with the project to be implemented by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (X/@Dev_Fadnavis)The Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday gave its approval to the construction of the 162.5-kilometre Nagpur–Gondia access-controlled expressway and granted administrative clearance for land acquisition. A budget of Rs 3,162.18 crore has been earmarked for the project.The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, with the project to be implemented by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).At present, travel from Nagpur to Gondia via the existing highway takes over three hours. The new expressway will shorten the distance by 15 km and reduce travel time to approximately one hour 15 minutes. The route will pass through 115 villages across 10 talukas in Nagpur, Bhandara, and Gondia districts.Infrastructure plans for the project include 26 flyovers, 8 animal underpasses, 15 major bridges, 63 minor bridges, and 71 culvert crossings, with eight interchanges at Gavsi, Panchgaon, Thana, Rotary, Panjra, Paldongri, Lohari, and Savri.Officials said that the project will enhance regional mobility, facilitate faster movement of goods and people, and strengthen the overall infrastructure network in eastern Maharashtra, laying the groundwork for long-term industrial and urban growth in the connected districts.This project is part of the 701 km-long Nagpur–Mumbai Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, whose construction has been completed up to Nagpur.The Nagpur–Gondia section, spanning 162.577 km, got preliminary approval in 2023. It includes 72.5 km from Nagpur to Bhandara, 72.6 km from Bhandara to Gondia, 3.765 km for the Tiroda link road, and 13.712 km for the Gondia outer bypass, covering the stretch from Gavsi Manapur interchange to Lodhi Tola in Gondia district.Story continues below this adAdministrative approval for land acquisition has been granted, and the MSRDC has been authorised to implement the project, for which a total budget of Rs 3,162.18 crore has been earmarked.Officials say the expressway will provide crucial connectivity to remote, tribal, and underdeveloped regions in Nagpur, Bhandara, and Gondia districts.By linking these areas with the Nagpur–Mumbai corridor, the project is expected to accelerate economic growth, encourage industrial development, and create significant employment opportunities. Improved access will also integrate tribal regions into the mainstream, supporting both social and economic development.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd