By the end of February, the 76-kilometer section between Igatpuri and Amane will be completed, giving drivers direct access to the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Motorway from Bhiwandi. According to representatives of the project’s nodal agency, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will officially open the freshly built section in March.
Final construction activities, including lane-marking and painting, are already in progress and expected to conclude between February 25 and 27. Once completed, the expressway will be open to the public, with an inauguration ceremony scheduled based on the availability of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar.
The motorway currently makes it possible to travel 625 km from Igatpuri, near Nashik, to Nagpur. An original plan called for the Igatpuri-Amane length to be opened in late 2024, but the timeframe was changed due to political delays brought on by the creation of the government and the distribution of portfolios. According to MSRDC sources, authorities instead chose to finish all outstanding work and open the entire stretch at once.
Announced in November 2015 and under construction since February 2019, the expressway is divided into 16 construction packages and designed for speeds of up to 150 kmph. It features toll collection for 40 years and incorporates modern infrastructure such as wildlife underpasses, flyovers, and pedestrian crossings to ensure safety and efficiency.
Since December 2022, the motorway has been opened in stages. The initial 520-kilometer stretch between Nagpur and Shirdi was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and in May 2023, then-Chief Minister Eknath Shinde officially opened a 105-kilometer extension to Bharvir. In March 2024, a 25-kilometer section between Bharvir and Igatpuri was opened without a formal ceremony.
At Amane, the expressway connects to the under-construction Mumbai-Vadodara Expressway, linking the Jawaharlal Nehru Port to Gujarat. To facilitate smoother travel between the Mumbai-Nashik Highway and the Samruddhi Expressway, a temporary arrangement has been implemented.
Despite its significance, drivers have expressed dissatisfaction at the dearth of suitable wayside facilities. Long-distance travel is inconvenient for many travellers since they have trouble finding places to eat and relax. To improve commuter convenience, MSRDC is creating ten public utility areas including restaurants, rest spaces, and gas stations.
With the upcoming Bhiwandi extension, the expressway is expected to significantly improve connectivity between Mumbai and Nagpur, reduce travel time, and ease congestion on existing highways. Once inaugurated, it will serve as a crucial infrastructure upgrade, providing a faster and more efficient travel route for commuters.
Source: Prop News Time
