Final Phase Complete: Travel Mumbai to Nagpur in 8 Hours on 701 KM Samruddhi Mahamarg with 25 Entry Points

In a landmark moment for Maharashtra’s infrastructure and connectivity, the final leg of the Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg — a 76-kilometre stretch between Igatpuri and Amne (near Bhiwandi) — was officially inaugurated on June 5, 2025 by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. With this final section now open to traffic, the entire 701-km expressway linking Mumbai and Nagpur is now fully operational.

The inauguration ceremony saw the presence of Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, along with several key ministers. The expressway, which has been developed in phases over the past few years, is now set to redefine long-distance road travel across the state.

• Travel Time Cut to 8 Hours, Economic Benefits Set in Motion

Thanks to this expressway, the daunting 17–18 hour drive from Nagpur to Mumbai via the old route has been slashed to a mere eight hours. The reduced travel time is not only a convenience for commuters but also a game-changer for logistics, tourism, and agriculture, opening up faster access to markets, ports, and pilgrimage sites.

The route now provides seamless movement for cargo between Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Mumbai and MIHAN in Nagpur — a move expected to enhance timely distribution of goods across the country.

• A State-Spanning Expressway with 25 Interchanges

Covering 24 districts of Maharashtra and running through 10 districts directly, the Samruddhi Mahamarg is dotted with 25 interchanges. These provide entry and exit points across multiple locations, making it accessible to various towns and cities along the way.

District-wise List of Interchanges:

Nagpur & Wardha: Shivmadka, Datala, Vadgaon Bakshi-Seldo, Virul

Amravati: Dhamangaon, Gavner, Talegaon

Washim: Karanja Lad, Selu Bazar/Vanjoja, Malegaon

Buldhana: Mehkar, Dusarbid, Palashekhed/Malkadev

Jalna: Jamwadi, Nidhona

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Sawangi, Maliwada, Hads Pimpalgaon, Vaijapur

Ahilyanagar: Kokamthan

Nashik: Gonde, Bharvir, Pimpiri Sadruddin

Thane: Phugale, Vashala, Khutghar/Sapgaon

These interchanges make it possible for travellers, transporters, and locals to easily enter or exit the expressway from various regions, enhancing both convenience and accessibility.

• Phased Development: From Nagpur to Mumbai, One Step at a Time

The first phase covering 520 km from Nagpur to Shirdi was inaugurated in December 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The second phase (Shirdi to Bharvir, 80 km) followed in May 2023, opened by then Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

The third phase, between Bharvir and Igatpuri (25 km), was launched in 2024 under then PWD Minister Dadaji Bhuse.

With the final 76 km section (Igatpuri to Amne) inaugurated in June 2025, the full 701-km stretch is now in use.

• Engineering Marvel: Tunnels, Terrain, and Challenges Overcome

The last stretch of the expressway traverses through the Sahyadri mountain range between Nashik and Thane, making it the most technically complex segment. It includes 5 twin tunnels, collectively measuring 10.73 km in single-direction length (21.46 km total).

Of these, the Igatpuri tunnel is the longest and widest in Maharashtra, spanning 8 km in length, 17.61 meters in width, and 9.12 meters in height. This tunnel is also the first in India to be equipped with an advanced fire safety system.

Thanks to this engineering feat, travel between Igatpuri and Kasara now takes just eight minutes, offering a swift alternative to the heavily trafficked Kasara Ghat on National Highway 3.

• Infrastructure Relocation & Connectivity Enhancements

Constructing this final phase involved massive groundwork, including the relocation of:

62 low-voltage power lines managed by MSETCL

5 Torrent Power lines

1 Power Grid transmission line Additionally, a railway overpass was also constructed as part of this segment.

• Farmers, Pilgrims, and Businesses to Reap the Rewards

The completion of the Igatpuri–Amne stretch doesn’t just mark the end of construction — it’s the beginning of new opportunities.

Farmers from Sinnar, Igatpuri, Shirdi, and Ahilyanagar can now transport their produce to major markets more efficiently.

Pilgrims traveling from Mumbai and Thane to Shirdi can now reach their destination in just four hours.

For students, workers, and entrepreneurs commuting to and from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, this expressway will save both time and cost, while also opening up educational, healthcare, and cultural access.

• A Road That Links More Than Just Cities

This expressway is not just a roadway — it’s a corridor of progress. Directly connecting Nagpur, Wardha, Amravati, Washim, Buldhana, Jalna, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ahilyanagar, Nashik, and Thane, it also indirectly links 14 other districts, including Chandrapur, Gondia, Yavatmal, Dhule, Jalgaon, Nanded, Palghar, and Raigad.

The route also ties into national networks like the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway and serves tourist attractions such as Ajanta and Ellora caves, Shirdi, and Lonar Lake.

With its full 701-km stretch now active, the Samruddhi Mahamarg is no longer just a project — it’s a symbol of Maharashtra’s vision for faster, safer, and smarter mobility. Connecting the state’s sub-capital Nagpur to its capital Mumbai, this expressway is set to accelerate Maharashtra’s industrial, social, and cultural evolution.