The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has initiated the tendering process for four major highway projects in Vidarbha, with a combined estimated cost exceeding Rs 46,000 crore. The projects received administrative approval from the state government towards the end of September.
Three proposed expressways — Nagpur-Gondia, Nagpur-Chandrapur and Bhandara-Gadchiroli — will extend the reach of the Samruddhi Mahamarg, improving road connectivity across the region. The fourth project, the Navegaon Mor-Surjagad Expressway, is aimed at facilitating faster transportation of minerals.
The 701-kilometre Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Mahamarg is being expanded through additional links to connect more districts and strengthen the state’s transport network. The three Vidarbha corridors are expected to improve access between important regional centres, while the mineral transport route will support the movement of resources from the Surjagad area.
MSRDC had floated tenders for the three Samruddhi extensions several years ago. However, the bids received were higher than the corporation’s approved cost estimates, forcing it to cancel the process and delaying implementation.
Following this setback, the corporation revised the project cost estimates and submitted fresh proposals to the state government. The revised submission covered all three expressways as well as the Navegaon Mor-Surjagad mineral transport corridor. The government subsequently cleared the combined expenditure at the end of September.
With administrative approval in place, MSRDC issued construction tenders for all four highways on Friday, October 30. The corporation has also invited bids for the remaining two phases of the Pune Circular Road project.
MSRDC aims to complete the tendering procedures for the Vidarbha highways and the Pune Circular Road at the earliest. Construction on these projects is expected to begin in early 2027, marking the next phase of the state’s road infrastructure expansion.
Source: Loksatta
