Mumbai: Motorists will soon be able to access the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway from Bhiwandi, as the 76-km stretch between Igatpuri and Amane is expected to be completed by the end of this month. The expressway is likely to be inaugurated in March by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, reports quoting officials from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) have confirmed.
CM Fadnavis Likely To Inaugurate Final Stretch Of Expressway
The final lane-marking and painting work is currently underway and is scheduled to be completed between February 25 and 27. These activities are carried out only after all major construction work is finished, indicating that the highway is nearly ready for public use. The inaugural event will depend on the availability of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, as reported by Hindustan Times.
Currently, the expressway is operational only from Igatpuri near Nashik to Nagpur, covering 625 km. Plans to open the 76-km Igatpuri-Amane stretch in November-December 2024 were postponed due to delays in government formation and portfolio allocation. Instead, the MSRDC decided to complete all pending work and launch the entire stretch at once.
Phase-Wise Opening Of Expressway Over Past Few Years
The 701-km expressway, officially named Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, has been opened in phases since December 2022. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first 520-km stretch between Nagpur and Shirdi. In May 2023, then Chief Minister Eknath Shinde inaugurated the 105-km section from Shirdi to Bharvir. Another 25-km stretch between Bharvir and Igatpuri was opened to motorists in March 2024 without a formal event.
At Amane, the terminal point of the expressway, it connects with the under-construction Mumbai-Vadodara Expressway, which extends from the Jawaharlal Nehru Port to Gujarat. To facilitate movement between the Mumbai-Nashik Highway and the Samruddhi Expressway, a temporary arrangement has been made.
First announced in November 2015, work on the access-controlled greenfield expressway began in February 2019. The project was divided into 16 construction packages, with toll collection authorised for 40 years. While the expressway is seen as a game-changing infrastructure project, motorists have raised concerns over the lack of wayside amenities. With limited options for food and rest stops, many travellers struggle to find suitable places to take breaks. Regularly spaced food courts would help drivers stay refreshed and alert, making long journeys safer.
Public Utility Areas Planned Along The Expressway
To enhance commuter convenience, MSRDC is developing ten public utility areas along the expressway, which will include petrol pumps, eateries and rest stops. Built to support speeds of up to 150 kmph, the expressway features modern infrastructure such as wildlife underpasses, flyovers and pedestrian crossings, ensuring a balance between efficiency and safety for travellers.
With the upcoming extension to Bhiwandi, the expressway is expected to further improve connectivity between Mumbai and Nagpur, reducing travel time and easing congestion on existing highways. The final touches are being completed and once the stretch is inaugurated, commuters will have a seamless and faster route from Mumbai itself.
