The long awaited Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway is now fully complete, with the last 76 km stretch ready for use.
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has confirmed that the expressway will be open to traffic by mid March. Currently, commuters can travel from Nagpur to Igatpuri near Nashik, covering 625 km. With the final stretch linking Igatpuri to Mumbai set to open soon, the entire 701 km expressway will be fully operational.
Faster travel, better connectivity
Once fully open, the expressway will cut down the Mumbai-Nagpur travel time from 16 hours to just 8 hours. It will also provide a seamless link between the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Mumbai and Nagpur’s Multimodal International Airport. This project is a major boost for transport, trade, and connectivity in Maharashtra.
What delayed the project?
The expressway was partially opened in phases, 520 km from Nagpur to Shirdi was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on December 11, 2022. Later, on May 23, 2023, then Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde opened a 105 km section from Shirdi to Bharvir. Another 25 km stretch from Bharvir to Igatpuri was made operational on March 4, 2024, without a formal inauguration.
The final 76 km segment, between Igatpuri and Amane, was originally set for a phased opening in late 2024. However, delays due to the formation of the new state government pushed back the schedule. Officials then decided to complete the remaining work in one go. The main road work is done, with only minor tasks like tree planting and crash barrier installation left, which will be wrapped up by mid March.
Mega infrastructure achievement
The expressway was announced in November 2015 and constructed in 16 phases. A total of 16 construction firms worked on the project. The official name of the highway is Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg.
Once fully functional, this expressway will transform road travel in Maharashtra, bringing economic benefits and smoother connectivity for businesses and commuters alike.
