Union Minister of Transport Nitin Gadkari on Saturday inaugurated the section on National Highway 161 from Washim district of Maharashtra. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Gadkari said the new infrastructure and modern roads will take Washim-Hingoli area on the path to progress. The 42.30 km long National Highway 161 Washim-Pangre project costs around  Rs.1,037.4 crore. This route will facilitate the traffic between Indore – Akola – Washim – Hingoli – Nanded – Hyderabad. The 11.9 km bypass road on this route will facilitate traffic in Kanergaon Naka and Hingoli town. Time and fuel will be saved and the level of pollution will also be reduced. It will be convenient for local farmers to transport their produce.<br />'' <br />'' Mr. Gadkari also said that work on Akola-Washim-Hingoli-Waranga Phata section on National Highway 161 is in progress. He said this highway is very important for all three districts of Akola, Washim, Hingoli.<br />'' <br />''On the occasion, a flyover worth Rs 20 crore was approved at Wasamba Fata in Hingoli town. Four-lane work on the main road in Washim town and three other highway works were approved. Apart from this, approval was given for deepening of 20 lakes for irrigation.