Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated 3 National Highways (NH) projects worth Rs 3695 Crore in Washim, Maharashtra. In the last 9 years 227 km of highway network has been constructed in Washim district connecting Vidarbha and Marathwada. The 4-lane National Highway 161 from Akola in Maharashtra to Sangareddy in Telangana becomes important in strengthening the trade relations between the two states.
Divided into a total of 3 packages, the first package on the highway from Akola to Medshi or 48 km costing Rs 1,259 crore has four air pools, 10 underpasses and 85 culverts. The second package from Medshi to Washim or 45 km costing Rs 1,394 crore includes 13 bus shelters, 6-lane ROB and Washim city bypass. Also, under the third package from Pangre to Warangafata or 42 km and costing Rs 1042 crore, the main bridge over Kayadhu river, Kalamanuri and Akhara-Balapur city bypass are included.
Many important places in Akola, Washim, Nanded and Hingoli districts will now be connected. It will be easy and accessible to reach religious and tourist places like Shegavche Gajanan Maharaj Temple, Akola Shahnoor Fort, Antriksh Jain Temple, Eighth Jyotirling Aundha-Naganath, Sant Namdev Maharaj Sansthan, Narsi and Takht Sachkhand Gurudwara in Nanded. The Highway facilitates business opportunities in Telangana and Maharashtra leading to employment growth.
In the construction work of Sadar National Highway 161 under the 'Amrit Sarovar' scheme, ponds in Savargaon Barde, Jhodga Khurd, Chivra, Amani, Saikheda or other villages were opened and the soil and sand obtained from it was used for construction of the road.