Maharashtra: Road Development to Gain Momentum in 2025
Maharashtra: Road Development to Gain Momentum in 2025
Key infrastructure projects promise smoother, faster travel across Maharashtra in the new year.
The Igatpuri-Amane phase of the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Highway is now 100% complete, with final touches underway. This section, part of the ambitious Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Highway project, is set to open for traffic in March 2025, reducing the travel time between Nagpur and Mumbai to just eight hours. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has ensured this milestone marks a significant leap in road connectivity across the state.
Additionally, the northern side of Thane Creek Bridge 3 is expected to become operational in March, enhancing connectivity in the Mumbai metropolitan area. Meanwhile, the missing link on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is also nearing completion, promising easier and faster travel between the two cities in the coming months.
Upcoming Projects and Future Plans
The MSRDC has ambitious plans for 2025, including major projects like:
• Virar-Alibaug Multipurpose Corridor: A crucial development for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, set to commence after resolving land acquisition issues.
• Pune Circular Road and Jalna-Nanded Expressway: New projects to enhance intra-state connectivity.
The Amane spur, connecting the Samruddhi Expressway with the Mumbai-Vadodara Expressway, will provide seamless access to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust on one end and the old Mumbai-Nashik highway on the other.
Construction of the Samruddhi Highway began in February 2019 and was designed for a speed limit of 150 kmph (capped at 120 kmph). Divided into 16 construction packages, the expressway has a 40-year concession period for toll collection. However, the project has faced its share of challenges, including a wildlife overpass collapse near Nagpur in 2022, which delayed its opening. Despite the highway’s operational status, the lack of wayside amenities remains a concern, alongside reports of over 200 fatalities in nearly 150 accidents since its inauguration.
The new year marks a pivotal moment for road infrastructure in Maharashtra, with projects aimed at improving both speed and safety. With the MSRDC prioritizing key developments, 2025 is poised to be a transformative year for the state’s transportation network.
