Mumbai, June 24: The Maharashtra Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Tuesday approved the much-debated 802-km six-lane Shaktipeeth Expressway connecting 18 pilgrimage sites, including three and a half Shaktipeeths, two Jyotirlingas and Pandharpur Ambajogai in the state.

The project cost is estimated at Rs 86,300 crore and will pass through 12 districts.

The state-run Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation is the nodal agency for its development.

The cabinet cleared a provision of Rs 20,000 crore for the project design and land acquisition.

The expressway has been proposed from Pawanar in Wardha district to Patradevi in Sindhudurg district. This will reduce the travel time from the present 18 to 20 hours to just 8-10 hours.

According to the government sources, it aims to boost tourism, regional development, and provide easier access to spiritual sites. The expressway will pass through three Shakti Peethas of Mahalaxmi (Kolhapur), Tulja Bhawani (Dharashiv) and Patradevi (Goa), two Jyotirlingas of Aundha Nagnath (Hingoli) and Parli Vaijnath (Beed), historic town of Pandharpur, which houses the Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Mandir.

Last week, Chief Minister Fadnavis had directed the Finance Department to allocate Rs 12,000 crore required in connection with land acquisition for the proposed Shaktipeeth Expressway.

“Delays in projects lead to major cost escalations. All agencies concerned have been assigned specific timelines, and strict adherence to these is necessary. The land acquisition process must be treated with seriousness and executed in mission mode,” he said.

CM Fadnavis, who has been a strong advocate of the Shaktipeeth Expressway, claimed the project will open up new opportunities and transform the state.

He clarified that the government will not force the project on anyone, saying that the government will sit and understand the issues of farmers. While a section of farmers is protesting, another lot has plans to have gatherings to show their support for the project, he noted.

Today’s Cabinet approval comes amid strong protests by opposition parties, farmers and villagers who claimed that the proposed highway will damage their irrigated farmlands and is being planned for the benefit of contractors.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi has been opposing the project, claiming that it will affect farmers badly and benefit contractors.

The opposition parties are expected to take up the issue during the upcoming Monsoon Session of the state legislature, starting June 30 in Mumbai.

The Mahayuti government, ahead of state Assembly elections last year, had put on hold the land acquisition for the expressway in the wake of strong protests, especially from Kolhapur district. The Mahayuti partners BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP, had feared an electoral loss if the land acquisition had been carried out. However, the government has revived it now.

Ahmedabad, June 24: Gautam Adani, the Chairman of the Adani Group, on Tuesday hailed the Indian Armed Forces for successfully performing ‘Operation Sindoor’, saying their courage reminded us that peace is never free and is rather earned.

Addressing the Adani Enterprises’ Annual General Meeting (AGM), the Chairman said that during ‘Operation Sindoor’, “our brave men and women in uniform stood tall, not for fame, not for medals, but for duty”.

“Their courage reminded us that peace is never free. It is earned. And the freedom to dream, to build, and to lead stands firmly on the shoulders of those who protect. Operation Sindoor showed that India knows the worth of peace. But if someone shows us an eye, we know how to respond in their language,” the billionaire industrialist said while addressing the 33rd annual general meeting of the Adani Group shareholders.

‘Operation Sindoor’ was launched last month to target terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Gautam Adani said he is “humbled by the silent sacrifices” of those who guard India’s “borders, families and dignity”, adding that the Adani Defence’s drones were part of ‘Operation Sindoor’ too.

“When it comes to Adani Defence — Operation Sindoor called, and we delivered. Our drones became the eyes in the skies as well as the swords of attack, and our anti-drone systems helped protect our forces and citizens. As I have always believed, we don’t operate in safe zones. We operate where it matters – where India needs us the most,” Gautam Adani noted.

The Adani Group Chairman also paid tributes to the victims of the crash of Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad on June 12, which crashed shortly after takeoff to London.

“We bow our heads in grief for the lives lost in the tragic crash of Air India flight,” he said. “So many dreams were silenced in an instant,” Gautam Adani added.

New Delhi, June 24: A total of 380 Indian nationals — 219 from Iran and 161 from Israel — arrived safely in New Delhi on Tuesday as part of the government’s ongoing Operation Sindhu, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed.

With the latest arrival, India has now brought back 2,295 of its citizens from Iran amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The Israel leg of the operation, which began on Monday via Jordan, marked its first successful repatriation flight, with 161 citizens landing in New Delhi from Amman on Tuesday morning.

The MEA posted on X, “292 Indian nationals were evacuated from Iran on a special flight that arrived in New Delhi from Mashhad at 0330 hrs on June 24. 2295 Indian nationals have now been brought home from Iran.”

In another post, the ministry added, “The Israel leg of Operation Sindhu began on June 23, 2025, bringing home the first group of 161 Indian nationals from Israel. They safely arrived in New Delhi today at 0820 hrs from Amman, Jordan.”

Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita personally received the group at the airport.

Speaking to media, he said, “I am very happy to welcome the first batch of 161 Indian nationals evacuated from Israel. This group has safely arrived just a short while ago at New Delhi airport.”

“We are closely monitoring the situation and are committed to providing all possible and necessary assistance to our citizens in Iran and Israel. Under Operation Sindhu, all the nationals are arriving safely,” the MoS added.

Many of the evacuees expressed gratitude to the Indian government for ensuring their safe return under dangerous circumstances.

“The situation was very bad in Haifa, especially after the US strikes. However, we are thankful that the Indian government did everything to bring us back safe,” said one evacuee from Israel.

“The MEA has done a great job. The transition was very smooth, and I express my gratitude to the ministry for making our transportation very comfortable,” another added.

An elderly passenger shared his traumatic experience: “I went to Israel a month ago. One day, while I was driving, attacks began. I panicked and hid behind a bush. The attacks were almost continuous. I couldn’t sleep. I thank the MEA for bringing us back.”

From Iran, similar voices of appreciation were heard.

“Despite everything going on, the Indian Embassy made every possible effort to keep us safe and comfortable. I thank the Government of India and the MEA for what they have done for us,” said one returnee.

“I was among the few Indian nationals who were able to get out of there so easily. The Mashhad Airport opened only for Indian nationals. This shows the stance of our country and the diplomacy of the Modi government,” another said.

“The embassy officials were taking care of us, ensuring we had water, food, and accommodation. We are thankful for making everything safe and comfortable,” another Indian national who was evacuated from Iran said.

Operation Sindhu continues to be a crucial mission aimed at evacuating Indian nationals from conflict-hit regions, reaffirming the government’s priority to safeguard its citizens abroad.