In a significant development, the long-delayed Nashik–Akkalkot highway, a vital segment of the ambitious Chennai–Surat Expressway, is set for revival under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. According to reports, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has opted for this model after earlier attempts under the hybrid annuity model faced technical and financial setbacks.
The 1,271-kilometre Chennai–Surat Expressway spans six states—Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu—and aims to significantly improve connectivity between western and southern India. Major urban centres along this route include Surat, Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Solapur, Kalaburagi, Kurnool, Kadapa, and Tirupati.
The Nashik–Akkalkot stretch, covering 374 km and comprising six lanes, is one of the most crucial segments. It has now received approval from the Public-Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC). The project will be developed in two stages—Nashik to Ahilyanagar (152 km) and Ahilyanagar to Akkalkot (222 km).
Once complete, this highway will reduce travel time between Nashik and Akkalkot from nine hours to just four, providing a much-needed upgrade to the existing infrastructure. In the long term, the Chennai–Surat Expressway is expected to shorten travel between Nashik and Surat to under two hours.
This corridor is strategically important as it will link to the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway at Navsari, creating an integrated transport network that improves freight movement and accessibility across India. The expressway is planned in two main phases: Surat to Solapur and Solapur to Chennai, with several critical sub-sections being executed simultaneously.
The earlier tender for the Nashik–Akkalkot section, issued under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), had failed to attract viable bids. The move to the BOT model is seen as a pragmatic shift, encouraging greater private sector participation and efficient project execution.
With the Centre’s final nod expected soon, construction tenders will be floated, potentially accelerating timelines for this key infrastructure project.
