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Nagpur: The Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday approved in-principle the land pooling scheme by which land for the ambitious Mumbai-Nagpur Super Expressway would be acquisitioned from farmers with their pre-consent and partnership in the mega project. The Expressway, which would revolutionize transport in state and boost agro-economic growth in Vidarbha, Marathwada and parts of Maharashtra, will be named ‘Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg’ and the 24 proposed new cities to be constructed along, will be known as ‘Krishi Samruddhi Kendras’ (Centres).
The Mumbai- Nagpur Super Expressway, to be constructed at a cost of Rs 30,000 crore, would be a gamechanger and developmental model of agriculture economy for development of backward and drought-hit districts of the State. The Super Expressway will help connect five Revenue Divisions of State – Nagpur, Amravati, Aurangabad, Nashik and Konkan — and pass through 350 villages of 27 talukas of 10 districts namely Nagpur, Wardha, Amravati, Washim, Buldhana, Jalan, Aurangabad, Ahmednagar, Nashik and Thane. Apart from emphasis on bringing travel time down from 16 hour to 8 hours, there will be impetus on cottage industries. The MSRDC has been appointed as nodal agency for implementing Green Field Alignment of the project. Land Pool Model will be adopted for development and construction of this Super Expressway. Infrastructure related to hospitality such as hotels, inns, food courts and entertainment centres have been earmarked to generate income and employment for locals.
Apart from constructing the 700-km stretch eight lane roads, the government has drawn up two major plans for development of metros and drought-hit districts. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who conceptualised the detailed plan indicated that the real objective of the Nagpur-Mumbai Supercommunication Expressway is not about hi-speed travel. What is more significant is agro-industrial development in the 20 districts, which gives it added advantage due to connectivity to JNPT port.
Moreover, centre and state have taken decision on two dry ports at Jalna and Wardha. While planning the proposed route of this Expressway, vital places such as crowded residential areas, orchards, big dams, forest land, lakes, and forests were bypassed. The process of land acquisition and pre-tender formalities will be completed soon. To override concerns of the land acquisition along some stretches, the government has decided to integrate agro-industrial development with water conservation projects.
The concept of providing water conservation projects to facilitate assured agriculture, especially in drought prone districts, is high on the agenda of the government. This project will not just be a gamechanger but it will would open the doors and fulfill the aspirations of backward districts long deprived of agro-industrial growth.
