The development of any region is based on good quality of modes of transportation in that area. Thus the development of roads assumes more importance in the advancement of the State. If the network of roads is strengthened, it surely boosts to the economic growth. The able leadership of the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is leaving no stone unturned to take Maharashtra on the path of development. As a part of this, the Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, which is also known as the Nagpur- Mumbai Super Communication Expressway, will be dedicated to public at the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The first phase of the expressway, which is 520 km long, has been completed. This phase includes the road between Nagpur to Shirdi (Kokam Tham). The remaining Shirdi to Mumbai road will be opened by July 2023.

Considering the construction of the expressway and its surroundings, it was necessary to focus on plantation of the entire area. Accordingly, it has been decided to create Samriddhi E-Way Green Corridor by planting 12-13 lakh big trees on both sides of the road and the same number of small trees and bushes by the road. The new cities termed as Krushi Samruddhi Kendra will be constructed along the side of this road. 18 spots have been identified for construction of such new townships where the skill development centers, modern health facilities, educational institutions, IT Park will also be erected. The agro based industries constructed in these new cities will be helpful in increasing the income of the farmers, providing them employment and self- employment and other similar opportunities.

The parts of Vidarbha and Marathwada will now be able to find prominence on the map of India and even the world.

(Inputs from Sandhya Garware Khandare, Assistant Director, DGIPR; Pravin Takey, District Information Officer, Nagpur; Atul Pandey, Information Officer, DIO, Nagpur; and Vinod Deshmukh)