Mumbai Prepares 29 Kilometre Elevated Corridor Linking Samruddhi Expressway
Mumbai’s longstanding traffic congestion between Thane and the city is poised for major relief as the Maharashtra Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) unveils a Rs. 6,000 crore plan to build a 29-kilometre elevated corridor connecting the Samruddhi Expressway directly to the city’s Eastern Freeway.
The ambitious project aims to streamline vehicular movement from Aamne near Bhiwandi through Thane into South Mumbai, significantly cutting journey times that currently stretch up to two hours for a short 29-kilometre stretch during peak hours.The elevated corridor forms a key link in MMRDA’s strategy to integrate regional highways with city road networks. In addition, a 13-kilometre extension of the Eastern Freeway from Chheda Nagar in Ghatkopar to Anand Nagar in Thane, constructed at a cost of Rs. 2,682 crore, will merge seamlessly with the Aamne–Saket–Anand Nagar corridor. A further 8.24-kilometre elevated section from Saket to Anand Nagar, costing Rs. 1,874 crore, will complete the continuous corridor, enabling vehicles from the 701-kilometre Samruddhi Expressway to enter Mumbai without bottlenecks.
Officials highlight the broader benefits of the corridor. Beyond reducing commute times, the project will decongest heavily trafficked roads including the Mumbai–Nashik Highway and Eastern Express Highway, improving efficiency for both passenger vehicles and freight transport. Streamlined traffic is expected to reduce fuel consumption and vehicular emissions, supporting Mumbai’s ongoing commitment to eco-friendly and sustainable urban infrastructure.
The Samruddhi Expressway, which connects major cities such as Nagpur, Wardha, Amravati, Nashik, and Thane, has already reduced travel time between Mumbai and Nagpur to approximately eight hours. With the new elevated corridor, accessibility for travellers from central and northern Maharashtra will improve further, fostering smoother trade, tourism, and economic linkages.Experts emphasise that such integrated transport corridors are central to Mumbai’s urban development vision, balancing infrastructure growth with sustainability. By connecting regional highways directly into city arteries, the project aligns with wider objectives to create efficient, low-emission commuting options while reducing urban congestion.Completion of the corridor is expected to mark a transformative phase for regional mobility, enabling commuters to bypass long-standing traffic bottlenecks and strengthening Mumbai’s position as a connected and accessible metropolitan hub. The MMRDA plans to maintain a strict focus on responsible urban planning throughout construction to ensure minimal disruption to the environment and existing communities.
