Mumbai News: The long-anticipated final phase of the Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway will open to the public today, marking the completion of the 701-km high-speed corridor that is set to transform connectivity across Maharashtra. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is scheduled to inaugurate the final stretch between Igatpuri in Nashik and Amane in Thane, a move expected to cut travel time from 16 hours to eight hours.
The newly opened 76-kilometre section, constructed at a cost of Rs 1,182 crore, is jointly funded by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). It features three crucial interchanges at Igatpuri, Kutghar in Shahapur, and Amane in Thane, enhancing access to nearby towns and cities.
How Will Samruddhi Expressway Help Commuters
The stretch also includes a 7.8-kilometre-long tunnel, now the longest road tunnel in India, significantly improving the drive through the challenging Kasara Ghat section.
“It also has a 7.8-km tunnel, which is the longest in the entire country,” said Anil Gaikwad, Managing Director of MSRDC.
Prior to this opening, motorists faced a steep 450-metre climb along winding ghat roads on the old Mumbai-Nashik route. The expressway now limits elevation to 160 metres, slashing the Igatpuri-Amane travel time from 90 minutes to just 40 minutes.
With this final link operational, the entire expressway becomes fully functional, offering 8-hour travel between Mumbai and Nagpur, down from the earlier 16 hours. Designed for speeds of up to 150 kmph, the ₹55,000-crore project spans 10 districts and 390 villages, and features 33 major bridges, 274 minor bridges, 65 flyovers, and six tunnels.
The expressway, officially titled ‘Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg’, was conceptualised by CM Devendra Fadnavis and faced early hurdles due to land acquisition protests. Over time, the project gained momentum, with successive phases inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi (Nagpur to Shirdi in Dec 2022), Eknath Shinde (Shirdi to Bharvir in May 2023), and Dada Bhuse (Bharvir to Igatpuri in March 2024).
Once fully open, the expressway is expected to boost regional development, enhance trade movement, and revolutionise long-distance travel across Maharashtra.
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