Samruddhi Mahamarg: Final 76 Km Stretch From Igatpuri To Amane Completed, Awaiting Inauguration For Full Nagpur-Mumbai High-Speed Corridor

Mumbai: After phased development, the grand vision of seamless high-speed travel from Nagpur to Mumbai via the Samruddhi Mahamarg is just a step away from reality. The final 76-kilometer stretch—from Igatpuri to Amane in Thane—is ready for traffic, pending only its official inauguration. All that remains now is the green light for inauguration.

According to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), which has overseen the ambitious 701-kilometer corridor, the final segment connecting Mumbai has been completed. A formal proposal has already been submitted to the state government seeking a date for the inauguration. Once cleared, the stretch will open to the public, completing one of India's most significant infrastructure projects in recent years.

Delayed:

The final phase was originally expected to be operational by September or October of last year. However, the delay was caused by an incomplete spur road linking Amane to the under-construction Vadodara–Mumbai Expressway, providing crucial access to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) Road. With the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) now completing this connection, officials confirm that seamless integration into the existing highway network is assured and work of spur has been completed.

More than just an extension, this final stretch brings significant functional advantages. By bypassing the steep and winding Kasara Ghat, the route cuts travel time between Amane and Igatpuri drastically. This will dramatically improve the experience for both passenger vehicles and freight transport.

A Game-Changer for Maharashtra’s Heartland

Currently, 625 kilometers of the Samruddhi Mahamarg—from Nagpur to Igatpuri—are already in operation. Once the final segment is inaugurated, the corridor will reduce travel time between Nagpur and Thane from 16 hours to a swift eight hours, transforming how people and goods move across Maharashtra. It is expected to serve as a critical artery for logistics, tourism, and economic development.

Complementary Expansion: Old Mumbai-Nashik Highway

Parallel to the final leg of the expressway, the MSRDC is also executing another key infrastructure upgrade: expanding the heavily congested 21.6-kilometer stretch of the old Mumbai-Nashik Highway between Vadpe and Majiwada in Thane. This corridor, which sees a massive load of commercial vehicles due to the presence of large warehouses in Bhiwandi, is being widened from four to eight lanes.

The project involves major engineering challenges, including the construction of two creek bridges—Kalwa and Kasheli—and a rail overbridge. According to MSRDC officials, 75% of the work is already complete.

Adding to its complexity, the route includes a 17-kilometer service road aimed at easing local traffic. The expansion work, contracted through a joint venture of MEPL and MCL, faced an initial one-year delay due to forest clearance issues. Surprisingly, the NHAI had not allegedly informed the MSRDC about the requirement for forest clearance at the time the project was handed over in June 2021, as per MSRDC official.

The highway expansion project, with an estimated cost of Rs 1,182 crore, is being implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), in which MSRDC and NHAI share the upfront costs. NHAI will repay MSRDC in installments over a 15-year period, ensuring a sustainable financial framework.

Together, the final leg of the Samruddhi Mahamarg and the expansion of the old Mumbai-Nashik Highway signal a dramatic overhaul of Maharashtra’s road infrastructure.

Samruddhi Mahamarg: Final Stretch Ready for Inauguration

* Final 76 km Stretch (Igatpuri–Amane, Thane)

*Status: Complete, awaiting official inauguration

*Benefit: Bypasses Kasara Ghat

* Travel Time: Reduced from 90+ mins to 40 mins

Full Corridor Impact:

* Total Length:701 km (Nagpur to Thane)

* Opened So Far:625 km operational

* Travel Time Reduction:

*Before: 16 hours

*After Completion:8 hours