Maharashtra Samruddhi Expressway To Transform Into Renewable Energy Power Corridor
Maharashtra’s flagship Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Samruddhi Mahamarg, popularly known as the Samruddhi Expressway, is set to become more than just a high-speed link between Mumbai and Nagpur. Officials have confirmed that the 701-kilometre highway will soon be transformed into a renewable energy-generating corridor, positioning it as one of India’s most ambitious sustainable infrastructure projects.
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), which built the expressway in four phases between 2022 and 2025, has initiated plans to install hybrid solar and wind energy systems along the route. A special-purpose entity, Mahasamruddhi Renewable Energy Limited, has already been established to implement the project.According to officials, the initiative is expected to generate up to 200 megawatts of clean energy in its initial phase. This power will be utilised to meet the expressway’s operational demands, including street lighting, tunnel ventilation, and interchange facilities.
The renewable infrastructure is expected to drastically reduce the highway’s carbon footprint, while setting a benchmark for other transport corridors across India.Experts highlight that the orientation of the corridor offers a natural advantage for solar energy. The left side of the route, while travelling from Nagpur to Mumbai, consistently faces south, maximising sun exposure throughout the year. This design feature allows for efficient deployment of solar panels, ensuring higher energy yields.
Alongside solar generation, MSRDC plans to leverage wind turbines. Officials explained that both natural wind flow and the draft created by vehicles moving at high speeds could be channelled to generate electricity. This innovative approach ensures that even unused parcels of land along the highway embankments are put to productive use.The project will follow a Public-Private Partnership model under a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer scheme. Private developers will be tasked with designing, installing, and managing the renewable facilities before eventually transferring them to the state.
MSRDC has already begun the process of appointing a renewable energy consultant to conduct feasibility studies, prepare project reports, and advise on construction techniques that maximise efficiency and minimise costs.Industry observers note that this initiative could position Maharashtra as a leader in integrating transport infrastructure with clean energy solutions. If successful, the Samruddhi corridor could emerge as a model for other Indian states, advancing the country’s transition to sustainable mobility and zero-carbon growth.With the expressway already hailed as one of Maharashtra’s largest infrastructure projects, its transformation into a renewable energy corridor signals a bold step towards a cleaner and more resilient future.
