New Delhi, Jan. 1 -- The Union cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday cleared two highway projects worth Rs.20,668 crore, paving the way for the construction of a six-lane highway corridor between Nashik and Solapur in Maharashtra and the widening of National Highway 326 in Odisha. The Nashik-Solapur corridor, spanning 374 km with a total capital cost of Rs.19,142 crore under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model, will enhance connectivity between regional cities including Nashik, Ahilyanagar, and Solapur. The project is designed to improve logistics efficiency and strengthen intrastate connectivity within Maharashtra. "This corridor is a vital part of the Viksit Bharat Golden Quadrilateral, specifically the section connecting Mumbai and Chennai. With an investment of Rs.19,142 crore, the project will link major industrial centres, including Ahilya Nagar and Dharashiv, and is expected to be completed within two years," Union information and broadcasting minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. The stretch features 27 major bridges, 164 minor bridges, and a 5.6-kilometre elevated viaduct. Designed for speeds of 100-120 km/h, the expressway will reduce travel distance by 14% and significantly cut travel time between Chennai and Surat by 45%. It will also integrate multimodal connectivity, linking railway stations, airports, and Gati Shakti economic nodes. The expressway is intended to de-risk private participation by ensuring that land acquisition and environmental clearances are largely finalized before construction begins - a shift the minister noted will make projects more bankable and execution more predictable. The second project approved is the widening of National Highway 326 in Odisha, specifically in the Gajapati and Rayagada districts, with an investment of Rs.1,526 crore aimed at improving connectivity in tribal-dominated districts. The road is expected to unlock economic activity in mineral-rich but infrastructure-poor regions, supporting industries such as aluminium production while also aiding emerging sectors like speciality coffee cultivation that rely on better access to markets. Vaishnaw said the focus of the current infrastructure push is not limited to highways alone. The Centre is simultaneously investing across railways, airports and ports....