Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Friday (September 29) inaugurated three significant National Highways (NH) projects worth Rs 3,695 crore in Washim in Maharashtra.

Over a span of nine years, a comprehensive 227-kilometer highway network connecting Vidarbha and Marathwada regions has been meticulously developed within Washim district, according to a statement from the Ministry.

The statement also noted that the four-lane National Highway 161, stretching from Akola in Maharashtra to Sangareddy in Telangana, has been identified as a vital conduit for fostering trade relations between these two states. 

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Project divided into three packages

The highway expansion endeavors have been structured into three distinct packages:

  • The first segment, encompassing a 48-kilometer stretch from Akola to Medshi, commands a budget of Rs 1,259 crore. This section boasts four air pools, 10 underpasses, and 85 culverts.
  • The second package, covering a 45-kilometer expanse from Medshi to Washim, incurs a financial outlay of Rs 1,394 crore. It incorporates the construction of 13 bus shelters, a six-lane Rail Over Bridge (ROB), and a dedicated bypass for the city of Washim.
  • The third package extends over 42 kilometers from Pangre to Warangafata, with a total investment of Rs 1,042 crore. This segment encompasses the erection of a primary bridge spanning the Kayadhu River and the introduction of bypasses for the cities of Kalamanuri and Akhara-Balapur.

These strategic projects will serve as vital connectors, facilitating enhanced transportation across the districts of Akola, Washim, Nanded, and Hingoli.

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Furthermore, these developments are set to improve accessibility to numerous religious and tourist sites, including the Shegavche Gajanan Maharaj Temple, Akola Shahnoor Fort, Antriksh Jain Temple, Eighth Jyotirling Aundha-Naganath, Sant Namdev Maharaj Sansthan, Narsi, and Takht Sachkhand Gurudwara in Nanded.

The construction of the Sadar National Highway 161, executed under the ‘Amrit Sarovar’ scheme, local ponds in villages like Savargaon Barde, Jhodga Khurd, Chivra, Amani, Saikheda, and others were excavated. The extracted soil and sand from these ponds were resourcefully utilized in the road construction process.