MUMBAI: Nearly two years after the inauguration of the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is set to address a critical gap in the expressway’s infrastructure. The expressway, a crucial link spanning 701 km, has been missing essential wayside amenities such as fuel stations, garages, eateries, and first aid clinics. This absence has exacerbated risks for motorists, who face increased chances of highway hypnosis and related accidents.
To mitigate these issues, MSRDC has launched a renewed effort to attract private investment for the development of wayside amenities. The first of these facilities are anticipated to be operational within the next six months. This initiative follows an earlier attempt to develop such amenities, which stalled due to technical complications. The Samruddhi Mahamarg is currently open to traffic over 625 km, excluding the stretch between Igatpuri and Mumbai. The expressway is access-controlled, meaning drivers must exit the highway to find essential services, increasing the likelihood of fatigue-related accidents. Highway hypnosis, a trance-like state that impairs driving alertness, has been identified as a significant safety concern on this route.
In mid-2023, MSRDC initially sought to develop wayside amenities at four locations—two in each direction in Aurangabad and Nashik districts—covering 10-12 hectares each. However, this plan was scrapped due to technical issues. The revised strategy now calls for the establishment of 16 wayside hubs, with eight located in each direction along the highway. These hubs will include parking lots for cars, buses, and trucks, minor repair garages, toilets, restaurants, first aid clinics, and staff rooms. The size of each hub has been reduced to four hectares, with three hectares designated for parking and one hectare for amenities, except for one hub that will cover three hectares.
The MSRDC has allocated land at 24 locations along the highway for fuel stations, with eight additional standalone fuel stations planned. The tendering process for the development of these 16 hubs began earlier this month. Successful bidders will be tasked with setting up the amenities within three months and will hold operational rights for 60 years. Initial services may be provided from portable cabins, transitioning to permanent structures as they are completed. The introduction of these wayside hubs aims to significantly enhance the travel experience on the Samruddhi Mahamarg, improving safety and convenience for motorists while also supporting the expressway’s overall functionality.
