Three important road projects in Maharashtra that will transform the state’s connectivity
Three important road projects in Maharashtra that will transform the state's connectivity(representational image)
Three big and ambitious projects in the state namely Virar-Alibag Multi-Purpose Corridor, Jalna-Nanded Samriddhi Marg (Extended Corridor) and Pune Ring Road (Pune Ring Road) will be launched in the new year.
Out of 28 tenders received by Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) in 26 phases for the construction of these three projects, 18 tenders have been passed. Accordingly, within ten days, financial tenders will be issued. MSRDC is planning to award the contract and start the work of this project in March-April.
The tendering process for the corridor, as well as the Pune Ring Road and the Samruddhi Expressway Extension, attracted participation from 28 infra companies, including L&T and Afcons.
At nearly 100km, the Rs 60,000-crore, Virar-Alibaug multimodal corridor (VAMMC) project will comprise an eight-lane expressway with provisions for future Metro rail connectivity in its median. The VAMMC will pass through Vasai, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Ambernath, Panvel, Uran and Pen.
It will mainly be a connecting link with the under-construction Navi Mumbai International Airport, JNPT Port, Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), and a dedicated freight corridor. The project is expected to reduce travel time between Virar and Alibaug by 50%, and because it will pass through the Mumbai-Satara Highway, it will act as a shortcut between various areas in MMR and Goa.
The Pune Ring Road will be a 137 km access-controlled expressway encircling Pune. The Rs 34,000-crore project will not only bring Mumbai closer to the interior parts of Pune – motorists can take the ring road to reach their destinations instead of getting stranded in traffic jams mid-city – but also provide connectivity to the talukas of Khed, Haveli, Purandar, Bhor, Mulshi and Maval.
The Samruddhi Extension will start from the 500th km point near Jalna and connect to the Nanded-Degloor National Highway in Kakandi. It will also intersect with the proposed expressway passing through Jalna-Parbhani and Nanded. The project is estimated to cost Rs 22,000 crore.
