Maharashtra has set a pioneering precedent in sustainable infrastructure as the Samruddhi Expressway, the state’s 701-kilometre high-speed corridor connecting Nagpur and Mumbai, officially begins generating solar power at two of its interchanges. This initiative marks India’s first integrated solar expressway project, underlining a shift towards renewable energy adoption alongside large-scale transport infrastructure. The solar project, with an initial 9 MW capacity, exemplifies the potential of multi-purpose infrastructure to deliver both mobility and clean energy.
Since its launch, the Samruddhi Expressway has facilitated the transit of over 2.25 crore vehicles, positioning it as a critical artery for commerce and connectivity in Maharashtra. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), responsible for the expressway, envisioned from the outset a dual-function infrastructure model—enhancing regional mobility while harnessing clean energy. Under this framework, solar plants are being systematically installed at interchanges along the route, with a total planned capacity of 204 MW. The first phase has seen operationalisation at Karanja Lad in Washim district and Mehkar in Buldhana district. Of the installed 9 MW capacity, 3 MW from Karanja Lad and 2 MW from Mehkar are now feeding electricity into the state grid. The energy is being sold to the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) under a 2022 agreement, with tariffs aligned to the Chief Minister’s Solar Agriculture Feeder Scheme 1 at Rs 3.05 per unit. Officials emphasise that this project not only diversifies MSRDC’s revenue streams beyond toll collection but also contributes to earning carbon credits, potentially easing financing for future infrastructure initiatives.
Experts describe this step as an illustrative case of embedding sustainability into public infrastructure. “The Samruddhi Expressway demonstrates that highways can serve as more than transport corridors; they can also be drivers of renewable energy adoption,” said a senior MSRDC official. By leveraging interchanges for solar energy generation, the expressway sets a model for upcoming projects in Maharashtra and across India. MSRDC plans to extend similar solar initiatives across other interchanges of existing and future expressways, integrating mobility with eco-friendly energy solutions. The project was meticulously implemented with oversight from senior officials in finance, environment, and engineering departments, ensuring robust execution and adherence to regulatory standards.
Beyond energy generation, the Samruddhi Expressway reinforces Maharashtra’s strategic infrastructure development, demonstrating a holistic approach where economic growth, urban connectivity, and sustainability converge. As India’s first solar highway, it establishes a replicable blueprint for integrating renewable energy with critical transport corridors, signalling a progressive vision for green infrastructure nationwide.
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