The Maharashtra Samruddhi Expressway, officially known as the Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Samruddhi Mahamarg, is a modern expressway linking Nagpur and Mumbai. The work on the last phase of the Igatpuri to Thane expressway has been completed. Now, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is now seeking time from the State Government to inaugurate this road. According to highly placed sources, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who had initially envisioned to boost high-speed transport between the two cities, is keen to open it on Maharashtra Day, May 1. This development means that vehicles from Nagpur will soon have direct access to the Mumbai gateway. Officials have also indicated that this inauguration might coincide with the opening of the south-bound section of the Thane Creek Bridge.

 

Once fully operational, the project will significantly reduce travel time between Mumbai and Nagpur from the current 16-18 hours to just 8-9 hours. The initial plan was to open the final stretch from Igatpuri to Aamne before the Assembly elections. However, due to the complex engineering work on the bridge at Khardi, the task was not completed in this phase. Also, the road from Samruddhi to Vadpe, was incomplete. At that time, MSRDC had planned to open this road by February. Since the work of the construction of road connecting Nashik Road at Vadpe was incomplete, this highway could not be opened within this period. Senior officials concerned had sought time from the State Government for the inauguration of the final phase of this highway. According to highly placed sources, Fadnavis wanted to get it inaugurated on Maharashtra Day, May 1, 2025.

 

The first phase of Samruddhi, 520 km from Nagpur to Shirdi, was opened in December 2022. In the second phase, a route of about 80 km from Shirdi to Bharveer was opened for traffic. Last year, in the third phase, MSRDC had started work on another 23 km stretch from Bharveer and Igatpuri. Now, in the final phase, the 76 km stretch from Igatpuri to Aamne will be opened for traffic. The expressway starts from Shivamadka village near Nagpur before ending in Thane district near Mumbai as it crosses through the districts of Nagpur, Wardha, Amravati, Washim, Buldhana, Jalna, Aurangabad (now Sambhajinagar), Nashik, Ahmednagar and Thane.

 

The road has a current configuration of 6 expressway lanes. Yet, it was built to support enlargement to 8 total lanes. The expressway features six tunnels, including the longest double-tunneled structure at Kasara Ghat, along with 33 major bridges and 274 minor bridges. Modern amenities include advanced CCTV surveillance, emergency helpline systems, rest facilities, and electric vehicle charging stations. Currently, the connector bridge at Vadpe that will to link the expressway to the Nashik Highway, is still under construction and is expected to take another two months to complete. Officials have stated that traffic in this area will be diverted through alternative routes until then. Igatpuri to Aamne section is on the verge of completion.

 

The last patch, constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1,182 crore, was built as per the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), with MSRDC and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) sharing the cost. The work started in 2021, but the project was held back due to the issue of forest clearance in Thane district. The challenges were finally removed in 2023, making it possible to complete the last phase on time for the May 1 deadline. The whole 701-km corridor has been constructed at a cost of more than Rs 55,000 crore. It is designed for speeds up to 150 km/h and includes 33 major bridges, 274 minor bridges, 65 flyovers, and six tunnels, including the longest one at Kasara Ghat. The road also has wildlife crossings, EV charging stations, and solar power facilities. Passing through 10 districts and 390 villages, the road connects Nagpur to Thane and aims to boost travel, trade, and development across Maharashtra. Due to this enhanced connectivity, the Samruddhi Mahamarg is planned to be an economic development catalyst. The State Government has shortlisted 24 nodes along the expressway for agri-processing parks, industrial estates, skill development centres, and tourism destinations. These are likely to create jobs and investment avenues, particularly in backward districts such as Wardha, Washim and Jalna.