Crucial 76-km link will help motorists avoid Kasara ghat section, traffic on old Mumbai-Nashik highway. Describing the project as an engineering marvel, Fadnavis said by connecting the expressway with the proposed Vadhvan port, the state government is planning to develop it as an “economic corridor”
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde drives a high-end vehicle ferrying Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and DCM Ajit Pawar (in the rear) on the Samruddhi Mahamarg yesterday. PIC/X/@OfficeOfDevendra; (right) CM Devendra Fadnavis takes the wheel on the way back from the inspection. Pic/X/@CMOMaharashtra
The last leg of the 701-km Samruddhi Mahamarg was inaugurated at Igatpuri by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his deputies Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde on Thursday afternoon.
Describing the project as an engineering marvel, Fadnavis said by connecting the expressway with the proposed Vadhvan port, the state government is planning to develop it as an “economic corridor”.
A smart integrated traffic management system will be installed on the expressway soon, the chief minister said, adding they have given the ‘right of way’ to the Gas Authority of India Limited for laying the pipeline while making the access control road between Mumbai and Nagpur.
Fadnavis said it is a moment of happiness and also an “accomplishment of the dream” for his Mahayuti government. “The Samruddhi Mahamarg is an economic corridor of Maharashtra’s prosperity,” Fadnavis said. Shinde, meanwhile, termed it a “game-changer” project for the state.
On the road
The inauguration of the crucial 76-km link between Igatpuri in Nashik district and Amane in Bhiwandi taluka marks the completion of the six-lane Mumbai-Nagpur expressway, and it is likely to be open for traffic soon, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRDC) said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was initially scheduled to inaugurate the stretch, which was constructed at a cost of R1182 crore, in early May, but the event was postponed due to security concerns following the April 22 Pahalgam attack.
Motorists travelling between Mumbai, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nagpur have been eagerly waiting to ply the stretch, which is expected to save time and fuel.
The stretch between Nagpur and Igatpuri is operational for traffic. Motorists heading from Mumbai to Nagpur or Nashik via the expressway will have to travel 34 km from Mulund toll plaza on the Eastern Express Highway and reach Shangrila Resort and Water Park near Vadape in Bhiwandi taluka on the old Mumbai-Nashik highway, and then proceed towards Amane Interchange from where the Samruddhi Mahamarg starts. Earlier, motorists heading towards Nagpur had to travel up to Igatpuri via the old Mumbai-Nashik highway in order to get onto the expressway.
With the opening of the 76-km stretch between Igatpuri and Amane, motorists will be able to avoid the Kasara ghat and the congested old Mumbai-Nashik highway.
Who ensures motorist safety?
The Highway Safety Police (HSP) is responsible for security on the Nagpur-Igatpuri stretch of the expressway. The MSRDC has assigned a total of 192 Maharashtra Security Force guards to work with the Maharashtra State Highway Police. A total of 16 patrolling vehicles have also been provided to the Maharashtra State Highway police by the MSRDC.
The HSP have set up 15 traffic aid posts along the expressway. The MSRDC has deployed over 150 Security Personnel drawn from the pool of ex-servicemen to aid and assist at the TAPs set up by HSP. A total of 21 ambulances, 21 quick response vehicles, 15 cranes capable of lifting up to 30 metric tonnes and 15 patrolling vehicles are also deployed.
With agency inputs
7.78km
Length of twin tunnels that run through Igatpuri-Kasara ghat section
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