Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the second phase of the Nagpur-Mumbai ‘Hindu Hrudayasamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg’ on May 26. This phase covers an 80 km stretch between the temple town of Shirdi and Bharvir near Nashik.
The super communication expressway, spanning 701 km and built at a cost of ₹55,335 crore, aims to reduce travel time between Nagpur and Mumbai by 10 hours. The project, overseen by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, connects 392 villages across 10 districts. It is designed for a top speed of 150 kmph and will be the second expressway in the state after the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. The entire stretch is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2023 or March 2024.
The project is set to boost the state’s economy and improve transport logistics by connecting the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust in Navi Mumbai to MIHAN in Nagpur, facilitating the timely delivery of goods across India. The inauguration of this 80 km stretch is anticipated to benefit several villages in Nashik, Ahmednagar, and Pune districts and simplify travel to Shirdi from Mumbai, Thane, and Nashik. The expressway will also provide improved access to medical facilities for residents of Shirdi and neighboring regions.
The project includes multiple interchanges, bridges, underpasses, toll booths, and other amenities. Additionally, the Samruddhi Mahamarg is expected to create employment opportunities and encourage workers to find jobs near their hometowns, thus reducing migration to major cities. The construction of the expressway has taken into account environmental conservation, with the plantation of millions of trees along its route.