Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway: Final Phase to Open on May 1, Reducing Travel Time by Half:

Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway: Gates will soon open on the entire 701 km stretch of the Expressway. The 76 km final section from Amane to Igatpuri is likely to open on the first of May. Marked on the Maharashtra calendar as Maharashtra day, it will be opened ceremoniously with expectations of further works around the South bound Thane creek bridge being unlocked alongside the bridge route. Speeding up travel between Mumbai and Nagpur is a priority as now with the all clear, travelling through the expressway will cut down travel hours from the estimated 16 -18 hours down to 8 -9 hours. MHRC (Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation) director had also confirmed that both projects under his supervision will indeed be opened to the public.

In other news, MSRDC General Wrap Up Meeting on the Expressway with anticipations from the government of India to allow the ceremonial opening of the expressway extension, planning goes around for the World Audio Visual and Entertainment summit happening at BKC (Bandra Kurla Complex) on the 1st of May. Mark the date as I believe this is where all the congressional speech starters festivities in Mumbai recide looking at making a prime time inauguration place with cameras rolling.

Why is Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg special

Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg is the expressway of international standards that lies between Mumbai and Nagpur. It is also recognized with the name of Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Samruddhi Mahamarg. This project of expressway was first initiated by the ex CEO of the state, Devendra Fadnavis so as to enhance the connectivity in high speed between Mumbai and Nagpur.

What is the route

The Mumbai-Nagpur Samridhi Expressway's starting point is at Shivmadka village which makes it a part of Nagpur. It then stretches all the way to Thane district which is next to Mumbai. This expressway also goes accross 10 districts in the Maharastra State which includes: Nagpur, Wardha, Amravati, Washim, Buldhana, Jalna, Aurangabad(now Sambhajinagar), Nashik, Ahmednagar, Thane .

Possibility of 8 lanes expansion

The highway has been constructed in 6 lanes and its possilbe to broaden it upto 8 lanes in the future. The maximum tokay speed of vehicles on this expressway will be 120 km/h. There are a total of 6 expressway tunnels constructed across Samridhi which include the longest twin tunnel located at Kasara Ghat. Alongside, 33 big and 274 small bridges are constructed.

Besides this, the entire CCTV surveillance system has been set up alongside an emergency rest area on the Mumbai to Nagpur Samridhi Expressway. One of the best features is that EV charging stations are also being constructed along the expressway.

Phase one of the expressway, which extends from Shirdi to Nagpur, was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi in December 2022. Now, only construction from Amane to Igatpuri remains.