Maharashtra’s ambitious Samruddhi Mahamarg, officially known as the Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, is poised for full operationalisation with the grand opening of its final 76-kilometre stretch on June 5, 2025.
This crucial segment, extending from Igatpuri to Amane in Thane, marks the completion of one of India’s most significant infrastructure projects in recent years. The inauguration, expected to be graced by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar at Igatpuri, symbolises a monumental stride towards enhanced regional connectivity, economic revitalisation, and the creation of more sustainable and accessible urban corridors across the state.
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), the nodal agency overseeing this colossal 701-kilometre corridor, has confirmed the readiness of this ultimate segment that directly connects to Mumbai. A formal proposal for the inauguration date was previously submitted to the state government and has now received the green light, paving the way for public access from June 5. This finalisation of the Samruddhi Mahamarg is set to drastically reshape the logistical and economic landscape of Maharashtra, significantly reducing travel times and fostering greater inter-city commerce and tourism.
The completion of this final phase had faced some delays, originally anticipated for September or October of the previous year. The primary reason for this deferment was the pending work on a critical spur road that links Amane to the under-construction Vadodara–Mumbai Expressway. This spur road is vital as it provides crucial access to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) Road, a key conduit for freight and commercial traffic. With the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) having now completed this essential connection, MSRDC officials have confirmed seamless integration into the existing highway network, ensuring uninterrupted flow for both passenger and commercial vehicles.
A key advantage offered by this newly opened final stretch is the direct bypass of the steep and winding Kasara Ghat. This notorious section of the old highway was not only time-consuming but also presented significant safety challenges. The new Samruddhi Mahamarg route dramatically cuts travel time between Amane and Igatpuri, promising a smoother and safer journey for commuters. Currently, 625 kilometres of the Samruddhi Mahamarg, connecting Nagpur to Igatpuri, are already operational, having already demonstrated immense benefits in terms of reduced travel burdens.
Once this final segment is fully inaugurated, the entire corridor will reduce travel time between Nagpur and Thane from a arduous 16 hours to a swift eight hours. This transformative reduction in transit time is expected to serve as a critical artery for logistics, boosting industrial growth and facilitating the movement of goods. Beyond economic benefits, the expressway is also poised to be a significant driver for tourism, opening up remote areas and promoting regional development. Parallel to the Samruddhi Mahamarg, the MSRDC is actively engaged in another crucial infrastructure upgrade: the expansion of the heavily congested 21.6-kilometre stretch of the old Mumbai-Nashik Highway between Vadpe and Majiwada in Thane. This corridor, which bears a massive load of commercial vehicles due to the concentration of large warehouses in Bhiwandi, is being widened from four to eight lanes. This ₹1,182 crore project, implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) with shared upfront costs between MSRDC and NHAI (and repayment over 15 years), further underscores Maharashtra’s comprehensive approach to modernising its transportation infrastructure, ensuring long-term sustainability and economic resilience.
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