The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of a six-lane, greenfield, access-controlled Nashik-Solapur-Akkalkot corridor in Maharashtra on BOT (toll) mode. The project represents a significant infrastructure investment with updated specifications and enhanced connectivity features.

Project Specifications

The approved corridor encompasses comprehensive infrastructure development with specific technical and financial parameters:

Strategic Connectivity

The project is designed to strengthen integrated transport infrastructure in line with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan. The corridor will improve connectivity between key regional centres including Nashik, Ahilyanagar and Solapur, with onward linkage towards Kurnool.

The proposed corridor will connect to multiple major infrastructure projects including the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway near the Vadhawan port interchange, the Agra-Mumbai corridor at Nashik through NH-60 (Adegaon), and the Samruddhi Mahamarg at Pangri near Nashik. Once completed, it will provide connectivity from the west coast to the east coast.

Efficiency and Performance Benefits

The access-controlled corridor is designed to deliver substantial improvements in travel efficiency and logistics performance:

The high-speed corridor will support average vehicular speeds of 60 kmph with a design speed of 100 kmph, while also reducing congestion and operating costs. The project will enhance logistics efficiency for freight linked to major National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation nodes at Kopparthy and Orvakal.

Employment Generation

The corridor is projected to generate substantial employment opportunities across direct and indirect categories:

Additional job opportunities are expected to arise from increased economic activity along the corridor, contributing to regional economic development.

Regional Development Impact

The corridor is expected to significantly boost regional development by strengthening basic infrastructure in Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Dharashiv and Solapur districts. The Nashik–Talegaon Dighe stretch of the corridor will also cater to the requirement for a Pune-Nashik Expressway, which has been identified by the NICDC as part of a proposed new expressway being taken up by the Maharashtra government.

The West Bengal Cabinet has approved the merger of Mother Dairy Calcutta with Banglar Dairy, marking a significant consolidation in the state's dairy sector. This decision effectively discontinues the use of the Mother Dairy brand in West Bengal, with all products now being marketed under the Banglar Dairy name.

Corporate Restructuring Details

The merger represents a complete integration of operations. Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya announced that "the entire Mother Dairy has been merged with Bengal Dairy. From today, Mother Dairy will no longer exist." This consolidation streamlines the dairy operations under a single brand identity for the state.

Infrastructure Development Approvals

In addition to the dairy sector restructuring, the Cabinet session addressed the state's growing power requirements by approving major thermal power projects. Two new super thermal power plants will be established, each with a capacity of 800 MW, bringing the total additional capacity to 1,600 MW.

E-commerce and Industrial Projects

The Cabinet approved significant warehousing infrastructure to support e-commerce operations. Nahar Industrial Enterprises Limited received approval for a ₹500.00 crore investment project that will develop warehousing facilities for Amazon and Flipkart on 11.35 acres of land.

Additional industrial development initiatives include:

• Development of a Gems and Jewellery Park at Ankurhati in Howrah
• Land allocation at Domjur for Technical Education and Skill Development Department training facilities
• Four industrial plots spanning 30.42 acres
• Industrial parks on 1.37 acres at Panagarh and 2.77 acres at Haringhata
• 115 acres allocated for the Jangal Sundari Karmanagari project

Implementation Framework

The West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation will execute several of these projects, ensuring coordinated development across the state. The land allocations and project approvals demonstrate the state government's focus on industrial expansion and infrastructure modernization to meet growing economic demands.