India, Aug. 29 -- The state government has given the green signal for the Shaktipeeth Expressway, confirming its route, except in Kolhapur district, where villagers are upping the ante against the project. The government resolution (GR) giving the project administrative approval was issued on August 26.

Linking Maharashtra with the southern Konkan, the 802-km expressway aims to link all "shaktipeeths" in the state, and promote tourism in the areas it serves.

Starting at Paunar in Wardha, the greenfield, access-controlled highway will cut across 12 districts, including 370 villages, and end at Patradevi in Sindhudurg, near its border with Goa. It is expected to cut travel time from Nagpur to Goa from 18 hours to 8 hours.

The state cabin...