The Union Cabinet has approved India’s largest Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) highway project, a six-lane greenfield road connecting Nashik, Solapur, and Akkalkot in Maharashtra. The 374-kilometre expressway will cost around ₹19,142 crore and be built under the BOT (toll) model, where private players help construct and operate the road.

This new highway is part of the Surat–Chennai high-speed corridor and aims to cut travel time significantly between western and southern regions of the country. Officials say it will improve connectivity between major cities, support freight movement, and reduce congestion on existing routes.

Improved road infrastructure is expected to push economic development in Maharashtra and beyond, strengthen logistics links for industry and create jobs during construction. The corridor will also connect to major expressways like the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway and Samruddhi Mahamarg, boosting the overall transport network.