MUMBAI, April 2 -- Following strong opposition by farmers in western Maharashtra, the state government has made some changes in the alignment of the proposed Nagpur-Goa Express High-Speed Corridor (Shaktipeeth Expressway) project. The public works department on Wednesday issued a government resolution after the final alignment of the expressway was approved. Anil Gaikwad, managing director of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), said that changes had been made in the alignment at Wardha, Yavatmal, Parbhani Hingoli, Nanded, Solapur, Sangli and Kolhapur. The realignment now includes connections to Satara and tourist destination Chandgad. The government had granted approval for the Shaktipeeth Expressway from Pavnar in Wardha to Patradevi in Sindhudurg on February 7, 2024. As per the approved alignment, a preliminary notification for land acquisition under the Maharashtra Highways Act, 1955 was issued. The October 15, 2024, notification for the alignment through Shirala, Karveer, Hatkanangale, Bhudargad, and Ajara in Kolhapur was cancelled, reportedly due to local opposition. After consultations with ministers and MLAs, MSRDC studied alternative routes and finalized a revised alignment. The Shaktipeeth Expressway, originally 802.6 km, will now stretch 856 km, increasing project costs....