What is the common examiner trap about Infrastructure in UPSC exams?

Examiners may swap the initial and revised project lengths (802.592 km vs 856.765 km) or the initial and revised costs (~₹80,000 crore vs ₹1 lakh crore). They may also confuse the number of districts (13) with talukas (40) or misattribute the implementing agency to NHAI instead of MSRDC.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Infrastructure for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: Revised length (856.765 km) and cost (₹1 lakh crore) of Shaktipeeth Expressway. 2. Target this Nodal Body: Maharashtra State Roads Development Corporation (MSRDC) responsible for redesign. 3. Target this Legal Point: Land acquisition process under the 2013 Act, triggered by requirement of 8,760 hectares.

InfrastructureGovernance

Take AI Challenge ▸

News 0 of 29

Maharashtra Approves Shaktipeeth Expressway Revised Alignment At ₹1 Lakh Cr For 856.765 Km Nagpur-Goa Corridor

Q: Which state government agency is primarily responsible for the redesign and implementation of the Shaktipeeth Expressway project?

Maharashtra State Roads Development Corporation (MSRDC), The article explicitly states that in August 2025, the Maharashtra State Roads Development Corporation (MSRDC) was asked to study and redesign alternative alignments for the expressway. An MSRDC official also commented on the land acquisition process.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the revised Shaktipeeth Expressway project: 1. The revised alignment increases the expressway's length by approximately 54 km, bringing it to 856.765 km. 2. The project cost has been revised downwards from the initial estimate of around ₹80,000 crore. 3. The expressway will pass through the Satara district, connecting the villages of Gondawale and Shikhar Shinganapur. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as the article states the length increased from 802.592 km to 856.765 km (an increase of ~54 km). Statement 2 is incorrect; the cost was revised upwards to ₹1 lakh crore from ~₹80,000 crore. Statement 3 is correct as the article mentions the new alignment introduces 40 km in Satara in the two named villages.

Q: According to the news article, what is the total land area required for acquisition for the revised Shaktipeeth Expressway project?

8,760 hectares, The article explicitly states that with the revised alignment, land acquisition of 8,760 hectares will be required. The other options are close distractors based on common numerical confusion.

Q: What was a primary reason cited in the article for the initial opposition and subsequent redesign of the Shaktipeeth Expressway alignment?

Protests by farmers unwilling to part with fertile sugarcane land., The article clearly states that the previous alignment faced resistance from farmers along the route, specifically because the expressway went through fertile land yielding high-value cash crops like sugarcane. This made it a major electoral issue, leading to the cancellation of the initial land acquisition notification.

Infrastructure PolityHIGH

Target:MPSCUPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link

01 Apr 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:₹1 Lakh Crore856.765 km802.592 km54 km increase8,760 hectares13 districts

Bodies:Maharashtra State Roads Development Corporation (MSRDC)

Practice MCQs from today's news ▸

~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.Maharashtra approved a revised alignment for the Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway, increasing its length from 802.592 km to 856.765 km and cost to ₹1 lakh crore.

2.The redesign, undertaken by MSRDC after farmer protests, adds 40 km in Satara district and passes through 13 districts, connecting 21 religious sites.

3.The project is a key infrastructure initiative aimed at reducing travel time between Nagpur and Goa from 18 to 8 hours, boosting economic development while navigating land acquisition challenges.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The Maharashtra government has approved a major redesign of the Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway, significantly increasing its length and cost. This project highlights the complex trade-offs between infrastructure development, agricultural land use, and environmental concerns, making it a classic case study for governance and planning questions in exams.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Total Project Cost₹1 Lakh Crore

Revised Expressway Length856.765 km

Initial Expressway Length802.592 km

Length Added in Satara40 km

Land Acquisition Required8,760 Hectares

Districts Covered13

Travel Time Reduction18 hrs to 8 hrs

1-Minute Revision

›Total Project Cost: ₹1 Lakh Crore
›Revised Expressway Length: 856.765 km
›Target this Data: Revised length (856.765 km) and cost (₹1 lakh crore) of Shaktipeeth Expressway.
›Target this Nodal Body: Maharashtra State Roads Development Corporation (MSRDC) responsible for redesign.
›Target this Legal Point: Land acquisition process under the 2013 Act, triggered by requirement of 8,760 hectares.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

News Snapshot

🛣️

Major Infrastructure Approval

Maharashtra approves revised alignment of Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway, costing ₹1 lakh crore and spanning 856.765 km.

⚖️

Land Acquisition Challenge

Project redesigned by MSRDC after farmer protests over fertile sugarcane land acquisition, requiring 8,760 hectares.

⏱️

Strategic Connectivity

The six-lane greenfield corridor aims to connect central and western Maharashtra to Goa, cutting travel time by over half.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The Shaktipeeth Expressway project was initially approved in February 2024 but faced immediate resistance from farmers in fertile regions like Kolhapur, who were unwilling to part with high-yield sugarcane land. This opposition turned it into an electoral issue, forcing the government to cancel the initial land acquisition notification by October 2024. The project was paused until February 2025 when the Mahayuti government returned to power, after which the MSRDC was tasked with studying alternative alignments in August 2025.

Core Analysis & Implications

The revised alignment strategically adds 40 km through Satara district (villages Gondawale and Shikhar Shinganapur), altering the route through Nanded, Hingoli, Parbhani, Solapur, Sangli, and Kolhapur. This increases the project's scope and cost by 25% (from ~₹80,000 crore to ₹1 lakh crore). Beyond infrastructure, the expressway is designed to connect 21 religious sites (Shaktipeeths), blending economic development with cultural tourism. However, it raises critical questions about the cost-benefit analysis of greenfield projects versus upgrading existing highways (like the Nagpur-Ratnagiri NH) and the environmental impact of crossing the Western Ghats.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

With government approval secured, land acquisition for the revised portions can now begin, with joint measurement work already completed in over one-third of the villages. The project's success hinges on efficient and fair land acquisition processes to avoid renewed protests. Its completion will significantly alter the economic geography of Maharashtra, promoting regional development and religious tourism. It serves as a test case for balancing large-scale infrastructure development with agricultural and environmental sustainability.

Key Facts at a Glance

Total Project Cost₹1 Lakh Crore

Revised Expressway Length856.765 km

Initial Expressway Length802.592 km

Length Added in Satara40 km

Land Acquisition Required8,760 Hectares

Districts Covered13

Travel Time Reduction18 hrs to 8 hrs

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, MPSC, SSC

Which state government agency is primarily responsible for the redesign and implementation of the Shaktipeeth Expressway project?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, MPSC

Consider the following statements regarding the revised Shaktipeeth Expressway project:

1. The revised alignment increases the expressway's length by approximately 54 km, bringing it to 856.765 km.

2. The project cost has been revised downwards from the initial estimate of around ₹80,000 crore.

3. The expressway will pass through the Satara district, connecting the villages of Gondawale and Shikhar Shinganapur.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, MPSC, SSC

According to the news article, what is the total land area required for acquisition for the revised Shaktipeeth Expressway project?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, MPSC

What was a primary reason cited in the article for the initial opposition and subsequent redesign of the Shaktipeeth Expressway alignment?

All 25 MCQs ▸

Read original article from Indian Express

You finished this topic

Practice 3 MCQs from this news Next Article

Explore Related Topics

InfrastructureView Topic MCQs →PolityView Topic MCQs →

Next Ladakh Demands Sixth Schedule Inclusion Under Articles 244(2) & 275(1) for Tribal Autonomy Post-2019 UT Status

Related Current Affairs

Polity Current Affairs

DDA Approves Master Plan Delhi 2047: Land Pooling, GDA Policy, 3,500 Hectares Unauthorised

DDA has approved the Master Plan for Delhi-2047, ending a five-year delay and setting Delhi's 20-year framework for housing, transport and green spaces. The plan focuses on land pooling, GDA policy, TOD and regularisation of unauthorised colonies amid a severe affordable housing crunch. For exams, remember the approval body, the 1957 Act, and the housing data: affordable supply fell from 62% to 11%, luxury share hit 70%.

Infrastructure Current Affairs

Railway Board Approves MRTS-Chennai Metro Merger: 2-Year Transition, 21 Stations Handed Over

After a 15-year wait since the proposal in 2011, the Railway Board has approved the merger of the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) with Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL). This marks a major urban infrastructure reform in Chennai, involving a two-year transition, handover of 21 stations, and creation of a special committee for oversight.

Polity Current Affairs

Delhi Cabinet Approves Private Universities Bill, MPD-2047 Allows FAR 180 & Residential Schools

Delhi government has approved a draft Private Universities Bill and notified MPD-2047, allowing residential schools, removing height restrictions on educational buildings, and increasing FAR to 180. These changes aim to optimize land use and expand education infrastructure in land-constrained Delhi. Students should note key data points like FAR limits, floor calculations, and Narela education hub expansion for prelims.

Polity Current Affairs

Odisha Draft Pedestrian Safety Rules 2026 Mandate Footpaths, Section 198A Action

Odisha has proposed draft Pedestrian Safety Rules, 2026, making pedestrian paths mandatory for new and upgraded roads. The rules hold road-owning agencies, contractors, and consultants accountable under Section 198A of the Motor Vehicles Act for faulty designs causing pedestrian death or injury. This marks a significant step toward pedestrian rights and safer urban infrastructure, relevant for governance and road safety exams.

Polity Current Affairs

U.P. Launches 'Jal Sarthi' App to Track Rural Water Supply Projects, Over 1.2 Lakh Downloads

Uttar Pradesh launched the 'Jal Sarthi' mobile app in May 2026 to enable real-time monitoring of rural water supply projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission. With over 1.2 lakh downloads within days, the app provides village-level data on drinking water schemes, household tap connections, and infrastructure status, promoting transparency and citizen engagement. This is a key example of state-level digital governance initiatives.

Polity Current Affairs

DDA Mandates Land Pooling via TPS Under Delhi Master Plan-2047; 105 Villages, 12 Lakh Homes Targeted

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is introducing mandatory Town Planning Schemes (TPS) under the Master Plan for Delhi-2047 to enforce land pooling in areas where voluntary consortium formation has failed. This move targets 105 villages across six zones, potentially unlocking land for 12 lakh homes, and shifts DDA's role from developer to facilitator.

Polity Current Affairs

AP Pedestrian Safety Policy 2026: SC Recognises Right to Walk, 36,526 Pedestrian Deaths in 2024, Section 198A Fine

The Supreme Court recognized the right to walk on footpaths as a fundamental right. Andhra Pradesh became the first state to notify a pedestrian safety policy, mandating audits, removal of encroachments, and a Rs 1 lakh fine under Section 198A MV Act for infrastructure failure causing death. With 1 in 5 road deaths being pedestrians (36,526 in 2024), this policy is a landmark for urban governance and social justice.

Polity Current Affairs

Karnataka Parks & BMLTA Amendments Shield Tunnel Road Project; 5% Park Land Use Allowed

The Karnataka government has passed two controversial bills amending the Parks (Preservation) Act and the BMLTA Act, which critics allege are designed to shield the Chief Minister's pet Tunnel Road project from three pending PILs in court. The amendments allow the state to use 5% of protected park land for public infrastructure and grant retrospective approval to projects initiated between 2022-2026, potentially bypassing legal scrutiny.

Start Today's Quiz(25 Qs)

Take Today's Quiz

25 Qs • 5-7 Mins

Maharashtra Approves Shaktipeeth Expressway Revised Alignment At ₹1 Lakh Cr For 856.765 Km Nagpur-Goa Corridor

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Major Infrastructure Approval

Land Acquisition Challenge

Strategic Connectivity

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance