Infrastructure and development are complementary to each other. To achieve sustainable development all across the state, good road infrastructure is a primary requirement.
Maharashtra is currently witnessing a spate of road initiatives by the name of “greenfield expressways,” aiming to improve logistics efficiency and boost economic growth in underdeveloped regions. Known as the “Infra Man,” Devendra Fadnavis has long envisioned strategic road networks in Maharashtra interiors to help boost local economies, a dream that is now becoming a reality. Going forward, these expressways, apart from improving connectivity and transportation within the state, will drive growth in specific areas like religious tourism, agriculture, mineral resource supply, and industrial sectors. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ focus on rural development is producing significant infrastructure development in Maharashtra.
What is a Greenfield Expressway?
A greenfield expressway is a newly constructed highway (expressway) built on a completely new route, meaning in an area where no road previously existed. Unlike brownfield projects that upgrade existing roads, a greenfield highway is built from scratch on undeveloped land (greenfields) and features modern facilities for faster, smoother travel to significantly boost local economies. This type of highway connects two places directly over the shortest possible distance, saving both time and fuel to contribute to the development of industries and businesses in previously underserved areas.
What is the difference between a highway, an expressway, and a greenfield highway?
A highway is a common road connecting two or more cities. All types of vehicles can travel on this road. Highways are used for both local and long-distance travel. Vehicles typically travel at speeds of 60 to 80 km/h on these roads. It is not mandatory for every highway to have toll booths; the government decides this on a case-by-case basis. Examples include the Pune-Nashik Highway and the Mumbai-Goa Highway.
An expressway is a high-quality road built for safer travel for fast-moving vehicles. Only four-wheeled and larger vehicles are allowed on expressways. Two-wheelers and tractors are prohibited. Even an existing highway can be upgraded to an expressway, which is known as a brownfield project. Cars can travel at speeds of 100 to 120 km/h on expressways. Parking on the roadside is not permitted. The government levies tolls for using expressways. An example is the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
A greenfield expressway is an entirely new road built on a new area(s). The main purpose of this road is to create a direct, shorter, and uninterrupted route. Examples include the recently completed Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Mahamarg (Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg) and the Delhi-Mumbai Greenfield Expressway.
Key greenfield expressway projects, underway or upcoming in Maharashtra
Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway
The Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway is one of the largest greenfield projects in the country. This 802 km long highway will pass through 12 districts of the state and connect to the Konkan Expressway near Patradevi. The state government had issued a notification for land acquisition for this project on March 7, 2024. However, some opposition to this project erupted in the Kolhapur and Sangli districts, which has now subsided to some extent. Subsequently, the state government approved ₹20,787 crore for land acquisition for the Shaktipeeth Highway in a state cabinet meeting on June 24, 2025.
Balavali-Patradevi Konkan Expressway
The Balavali-Patradevi Konkan Expressway will be developed as an extension of the Konkan section of the Shaktipeeth Highway. The government’s decision regarding this was published on September 6, 2021. This 388.45 km long route will connect three districts: Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. The revised DPR of this project, which includes 41 tunnels, 21 major bridges, 51 viaducts, and 14 interchanges, is ready and awaiting final approval. After that, the work will begin.
Jalna-Nanded Samruddhi Expressway Connector
The Jalna-Nanded Samruddhi Expressway Connector is another crucial greenfield project that will connect the Marathwada towns of Jalna, Parbhani, and Nanded to the existing Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Highway. The state cabinet, in its meeting on October 10, 2024, approved this 179 km long, six-lane highway at a cost of ₹24,702.92 crore. This project will reduce the current distance of 226 km by 45 km and cut travel time from four hours to two hours between these places and the Samruddhi Mahamarg. A separate Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) has been created to implement this project.
Pune-Shirur Elevated Corridor
The Pune-Shirur Elevated Corridor and the Shirur-Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar Expressway are the parts of the Pune-Shambhaji Nagar connectivity corridor for improving connectivity in Central Maharashtra. In the cabinet meeting held on September 5, 2024, an expenditure of ₹7,515 crore was approved for the Pune-Shirur six-lane highway. This elevated expressway project was also mentioned in the 2025-26 budget speech. The Shirur-Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar highway is expected to cost ₹2,050 crore, and its Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be revised soon.
Pune-Bengaluru Greenfield Expressway
The Pune-Bengaluru Greenfield Expressway is proposed under the central government’s Bharatmala Project. Its Detailed Project Report (DPR) was submitted in February 2025. Land acquisition will begin after final approval for this 745 km long project, which is estimated to cost ₹50,000 crore. This highway will pass through the Satara and Sangli districts of Maharashtra before reaching Bengaluru. This road will reduce the travel time between Pune and Bengaluru from 12 hours to just 6 to 7 hours.
Virar-Alibaug Multimodal Corridor
The Virar-Alibaug Multimodal Corridor will connect the Mumbai suburbs to the Raigad district. It is 126 km long, and according to a cabinet decision taken on June 17, 2025, a financial arrangement of ₹37,013 crore has been made for it. The tender for the first phase has been cancelled, and a decision has been made to invite a new tender on a BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) basis.
Proposed Greenfield Routes…
Along with these major highways, several projects such as the Pune-Nashik Expressway, Nagpur-Bhandara-Gondia, Nagpur-Chandrapur, Bhandara-Gadchiroli, as well as the Shegaon Connector, Vadhavan Port Connector, Pagote-Chowk Expressway, and the Surat-Chennai Economic Corridor are currently in various stages of development. Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have been prepared for some. The bidding process is underway for others, while land acquisition is nearing completion for some. Notably, the Nashik-Jalgaon-Nagpur North Maharashtra Expressway, Jalgaon-Nandurbar Expressway, and Kalyan-Latur Expressway are entirely new proposed greenfield routes. The process of finalizing their routes and budgets is underway. Infrastructure enthusiast Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is personally monitoring all these projects. In a meeting held on June 19, 2025, he instructed officials to expedite the process, with particular emphasis on the land acquisition schedule for the various highways.
These Greenfield Expressway projects will place Maharashtra at the centre of the country’s infrastructural progress and will help the state to create new growth centres, attract investments, and create employment in rural areas.