Archive · 2 Jan 2026
Shetti challenges Fadnavis on Shaktipeeth Expressway
A former leader named Raju Shetti is questioning why the government wants to build a new, very expensive road called the Shaktipeeth Expressway.
This road will be parallel to an existing road and cost a lot of money.
Shetti thinks it's not necessary and has asked the Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, to have a public debate with him about it.
Shetti says that instead of sending people to talk to him, the Chief Minister should come and discuss it openly.
He also wants the government to explain why they are spending so much money on this new road when there's already one there.
Shetti is not against development but wants to understand the reasons behind this specific project.
Raju Shetti, a former MP and farmer leader, has questioned the need for the Rs 86,300 crore Shaktipeeth Expressway project in Maharashtra.
The 810-kilometre expressway will pass through 12 districts and run parallel to the existing Nagpur-Ratnagiri state highway.
Shetti has challenged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to a public debate on the issue instead of sending delegations to him.
Shetti alleges that delegations sent to him are using a scripted message to support the expressway and demands clarity on the project's necessity.
He has called for a white paper on the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway and a report from IIT Roorkee and IIT Hyderabad on the Shaktipeeth Expressway's impact.
- Who
- Raju Shetti, former MP and farmer leader, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
- What
- A debate challenge over the Shaktipeeth Expressway project
- When
- January 1, 2024
- Where
- Pune, Maharashtra, India
- Why
- Shetti questions the need for the expressway parallel to an existing highway
- Project Name
- Shaktipeeth Expressway
- Project Cost
- Rs 86,300 crore
- Project Length
- 810 kilometres
- Districts Covered
- 12 districts of Maharashtra
- Existing Highway
- Nagpur-Ratnagiri state highway
- Opponent
- Raju Shetti
- Challenged Authority
- Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
