Construction of 701-km Samruddhi Expressway Completed.

The 701-km Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway, a key infrastructure project initiated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, is now fully constructed, according to Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) officials.

The final 76-km stretch between Igatpuri and Amane in Thane district is complete, with additional works like tree plantation and crash barrier installation expected to finish by mid-March, an MSRDC official said. Once the Maharashtra government gives clearance, vehicle movement will begin on the entire expressway.

The project, launched in 2019, faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic but was built by 16 construction firms. Over 8,861 hectares of land were acquired, with initial challenges in convincing farmers to part with land.

The expressway, passing through 10 districts, features multiple underpasses and a 7.7-km tunnel through the Western Ghats at Igatpuri. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first phase in December 2022, followed by additional sections opening in 2023.

The expressway is expected to ease congestion on the existing Nashik-Mumbai highway, improve travel times, and boost industrial investment in Nashik and surrounding areas.

ET