The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has launched a landmark renewable energy initiative by installing solar power plants along the Nagpur–Mumbai Samruddhi Mahamarg, making it the first highway pilot project in India to combine high-speed road infrastructure with solar energy generation.
The 701-km access-controlled expressway, which has already handled over 2.5 crore vehicles, was designed not just for faster travel but also to support clean energy production. MSRDC plans to set up solar plants at various interchanges along the corridor, targeting a total generation capacity of 204 MW.
First Phase Operational
In the first phase, solar plants have been commissioned at Karanja Lad (Washim district) and Mehkar (Buldhana district) interchanges, with an installed capacity of 9 MW — 3 MW at Karanja Lad and 6 MW at Mehkar.
The Karanja Lad plant began generating electricity on Monday. Power produced here will be sold to the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. (MSEDCL) at a tariff of ₹3.05 per unit, as per a 2022 power purchase agreement signed with MSRDC’s special purpose vehicle, Mahasamruddhi Renewable Energy Ltd.
Future Expansion & Sustainability Goals
Joint Managing Director Manuj Jindal highlighted the project’s significance, stating:
“This is an important step in the corporation’s journey. The idea is to implement solar energy projects not only on the Samruddhi Expressway but also at interchanges of other proposed expressways. Solar energy generation will also contribute carbon credits, and profits will help repay infrastructure loans.”
The project was executed under the leadership of Vice Chairman & Managing Director Anil Kumar Gaikwad, with guidance from JMD Manuj Jindal, Chief General Manager (Environment) Narendra Toke, CFO Shridhar Machha, Chief Engineer Deepak Sontakke, and Executive Engineers Bhushan Malkhandale, Satish Akode, and Nitin Zadbuke.
Officials said this initiative is expected to become a model for sustainable highways across India, reducing the carbon footprint of large-scale road projects and generating revenue to support future infrastructure development.
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