On 31 December 2025, the Union Cabinet approved two major highway infrastructure projects aimed at boosting connectivity and economic growth.
Six-Lane Nashik–Solapur–Akkalkot Greenfield Corridor (Maharashtra)
- Length: 374 km
- Capital Cost: ₹19,142 crore
- Will connect key cities like Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Solapur, and Kurnool.
- Part of PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
- Design speed: 100 km/h | Average speed: 60 km/h
- Expected to reduce travel time to around 17 hours and enable smooth passenger & freight movement.
- Will generate around 251.06 lakh man-days (direct) and 313.83 lakh man-days (indirect) employment.
Widening & strengthening of NH-326 in Odisha (2-lane with paved shoulders)
- Length: ~206 km
- Capital Cost: ₹1,526.21 crore
- Benefits Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput districts.
- Will improve regional connectivity with Raipur–Visakhapatnam corridor, Gopalpur Port, and industrial zones.
- Expected to boost trade, tourism, education access, and socio-economic development in southern Odisha.
