Nagpur-Wardha axis of Samruddhi Mahamarg identified for establishing defence industries
| Date :08-Dec-2022 |
Staff Reporter
Of the 18 nodes identified for development of housing and industrial nodes alongside the 700 km stretch of Samruddhi Mahamarg, the Nagpur-Wardha axis is identified for setting up of defence industries. Already, the second capital of State has a well-developed hub of defence industries and State Government is keen to promote the sector on which groundwork has been completed. In this light, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), being the nodal agency for development of Expressway in State, is keen to promote defence cluster here, said Radheshyam Mopalwar, Director General (War Room for Infra Projects).
For the other land sites, the topographical survey has been completed and various Government agencies are in talks with consultants in the field to attract investments. Talking informally with newspersons in city on Wednesday ahead of dedication of the 700 km Expressway, stretch of Samruddhi Mahamarg to pay Rs 1.72/km toll tax and same would be collected at the exit nodes, which are about 25 on the entire route. So a person travelling ex-Nagpur to Thane where the expressway merges into Mumbai end would end up paying Rs 1,204 as toll tax. As per the Detailed Project Report (DPR), around 25,000 passenger car units (PCU) are expected to use the expressway per day. The dream connectivity project of Maharashtra, Hindu Hruday Samrat Samruddhi Mahamarg is ready and is to be dedicated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 11. The function is going to be held in city for which hectic preparations are on.
During the free wheeling chat, Mopalwar who has overseen conceptualisation to implementation of the mega project, also shed light on the environmental aspects as to lack of trees on the entire stretch of 700 kms. He said, MSRDC has outsourced the work of tree plantation to Biological Institute and Forest Department and about 11 lakh saplings are to be planted on either side of six-lane expressway. In addition, 22 saplings and climbers are planned to be planted on median to address concerns of environmentalists.
However, to a querry about ambient surface temperature on Samruddhi Mahamarg during peak summer season, the seasoned Mopalwar who had every statistic on his tips fumbled for a while and said, he would need to ask his officials. The information sought however was never revealed by the seasoned bureaucrat during the hour-long interaction with newspersons even as he furnished other minute details as to Expressway project.
In fact, Mopalwar revealed that, about 450 kms of work was ready one year back, but some patches remained incomplete resulting in postponement of opening expressway. The first phase of 521 km is complete and balance 180 kms deadline is fixed at July 2023 as most of the major construction work stands complete, only few patches are remaining. About Rs 55,000 crore of the project cost is entirely used and engineering cost is Rs 35,000 to 40,000 crore, while rest of the funds went into land acquisition and other related matters. Due to Covid-19 induced lockdown, the interest component of loan has risen a bit. Further, he said that, on the route till Shirdi from Nagpur, about 16 fuel outlets are already functioning and till food plazas open, they would double up as refreshment joints for commuters. Tender process for establishment of 20 food plazas is in process.
Underlining a proud moment for Samruddhi Mahamarg, he said that, its the only having tie-up with GAIL that has laid gas pipeline on either side and this has opened up possibilities for providing gas connections in backward regions through which the expressway would pass through.