The Maharashtra cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has approved the revised design and funding of Rs 9.31 billion for the Bhandara–Gadchiroli controlled access expressway, a project expected to enhance connectivity across Vidarbha.
The 94.2 km expressway, to be implemented by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), will cut the Bhandara–Gadchiroli distance by 23 km and reduce travel time to 1.5 hours. Of the sanctioned funds, Rs 5.34 billion has been earmarked for project work and Rs 3.96 billion for interest, with land acquisition to begin shortly.
The revised alignment includes links from Savarkhanda Interchange to Konkangad (SH-53) and Borgaon Interchange to Ranmochan (SH-353D). Officials note the project mirrors the success of the Samruddhi Mahamarg, boosting Vidarbha’s transport network.
In a parallel move, the government upgraded its Infrastructure Sub-Committee to the Cabinet Infrastructure Committee, ensuring faster approvals. Decisions taken by the panel, which will now clear all proposals above Rs 250 million, will be treated as final without requiring cabinet ratification. The Chief Secretary will serve as secretary, and the Additional Chief Secretary (Planning) as convener.
This structural shift is expected to streamline decision-making and accelerate large-scale infrastructure rollouts across Maharashtra.
News source: Swarajya Mag
