Samruddhi Expressway Updates: 701-km Nagpur-Mumbai Corridor Set to Open for Traffic Soon, Expected to Ease Congestion on Nashik-Mumbai Highway
Samruddhi Expressway Updates: 701-km Nagpur-Mumbai Corridor Set to Open for Traffic Soon, Expected to Ease Congestion on Nashik-Mumbai Highway
Mumbai/Nagpur: The construction of the 701-km-long Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway has been successfully completed, marking a significant milestone in Maharashtra’s infrastructure development. The final 76-km stretch between Igatpuri and Amane in Thane district has been finished, according to an official from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).
While the main construction is complete, additional works such as tree plantation and installation of crash barriers are still underway and are expected to be completed by the second week of March. Vehicle movement along the entire expressway is likely to begin next month once these tasks are finalized and the state government grants approval, said MSRDC Joint Managing Director Jadhav.
The expressway, a flagship project of former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, was initiated during his tenure (2014-2019), with construction beginning in 2019. However, progress was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The MSRDC, which oversaw the project, appointed 16 firms to handle different sections of the road and acquired over 8,861 hectares of land for the project, despite facing resistance from some farmers.
The expressway spans 10 districts and includes multiple underpasses for vehicles, pedestrians, and cattle. One of the most challenging sections was the Igatpuri stretch, where construction took place in the hilly terrain of the Western Ghats. A major engineering achievement in this section was the creation of a 7.7-km-long road tunnel between Igatpuri and Kasara, along with viaducts in the Igatpuri and Thane regions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first phase of the expressway in December 2022, connecting Nagpur and Shirdi. The second phase, linking Shirdi to Bharvir in Nashik, was opened by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in May 2023. Last year, a 25-km section between Bharvir and Igatpuri was also made operational.
Once fully open, the expressway is expected to ease congestion on the heavily used Nashik-Mumbai highway, which is part of the Agra-Mumbai national highway. The current highway often faces severe traffic issues, especially during the monsoon season when potholes lead to frequent jams.
Ashish Nahar, president of the Nashik Industries and Manufacturers’ Association, highlighted that the expressway would significantly reduce travel time between Nashik and Mumbai, benefiting industries by expediting the movement of goods and raw materials. Improved connectivity is also expected to attract new investments to Nashik and nearby regions.
