Good News for Commuters: Travel Time to Reduce Between Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik with New Road Links

Traveling between Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik will soon become faster and more convenient as two major road projects near completion. The final 76-km stretch of the Samruddhi Mahamarg, between Igatpuri and Amane (near Bhiwandi), is set to open by March-end, reducing traffic congestion on the old Mumbai-Nashik highway. Similarly, the much-awaited Mumbai-Pune missing link project is expected to be operational by August, providing a more efficient route through the Lonavala Ghat. These developments promise shorter travel times, improved road safety, and reduced congestion for thousands of daily commuters.

Samruddhi Mahamarg: Smoother Mumbai-Nashik-Nagpur Travel

The 701-km-long Samruddhi Mahamarg, which connects Nagpur to Mumbai, has already significantly reduced travel time for commuters between Nagpur, Aurangabad, Nashik, and Mumbai. However, motorists traveling from Mumbai currently have to take the old Mumbai-Nashik highway to reach Igatpuri, where they can access the expressway. The new 76-km stretch will allow vehicles to bypass Kasara Ghat, which is known for traffic congestion and slow-moving vehicles, especially during monsoons.

Key Features of the New Samruddhi Mahamarg Section:

• Bypassing Kasara Ghat will reduce congestion and speed up travel on the Mumbai-Nashik route.
• Five tunnels and 16 bridges have been built to navigate the rough terrain, making this stretch one of the most challenging parts of the expressway.
• Final construction work such as crash barriers, signage, and the approach stretch linking to the Mumbai-Nashik highway is expected to be completed by March 15.
• The expressway plays a vital role in connecting Maharashtra’s economic and agricultural hubs, boosting trade and transportation.

Once this stretch opens, commuters will be able to drive seamlessly from Mumbai to Nashik and further to Aurangabad and Nagpur, saving significant travel time.

Mumbai-Pune Missing Link: Faster and Safer Travel Through Lonavala

The Mumbai-Pune Expressway has long faced bottlenecks at Lonavala Ghat, especially on weekends and during peak hours. The missing link project, which is 90% complete, aims to eliminate traffic congestion in this section and significantly improve travel efficiency. The project is expected to be operational by August or September 2024.

Key Features of the Mumbai-Pune Missing Link Project:

• The current 19-km stretch from Khopoli to Sinhgad Institute will be shortened to 13.3 km, reducing travel time by 20-25 minutes.
• It features the world’s widest twin tunnels, with a width of 47 meters and lengths of 1.75 km and 8.92 km. The tunnels are under verification for a Guinness World Record.
• A 170-meter-high cable-stayed bridge will be constructed as part of the new expressway section.
• The tunnels will pass 150 meters below Lonavala Lake, ensuring a direct and uninterrupted route through the ghat section.

Benefits for Commuters and Businesses

The opening of these two projects will revolutionize road travel in Maharashtra, making journeys safer, faster, and more efficient. Some of the major benefits include:

• Reduced travel time between Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik.
• Decreased congestion on Kasara Ghat and Lonavala Ghat, leading to smoother traffic flow.
• Better road safety due to modern infrastructure, including crash barriers, wider lanes, and state-of-the-art tunnels.
• Boost to Maharashtra’s economy, enabling faster movement of goods and people between key cities.

Final Stretch Before Completion

According to officials from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), the final touches on the projects are being completed, with March 15 set as the target date for the Samruddhi Mahamarg section. Meanwhile, the Mumbai-Pune missing link is in its last phase, with September or October 2024 as the expected completion timeline.

Once operational, these projects will provide seamless connectivity between Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik, making travel easier and more convenient for lakhs of commuters.