What Does CM Fadnavis's Inauguration of the Final Phase of Nagpur-Mumbai 'Samruddhi Mahamarg' Mean for Prosperity?

Igatpuri (Maharashtra), June 5 (NationPress) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, officially launched the final segment of the 76 km stretch connecting Igatpuri to Aamne, Thane, as part of the extensive 701 km Hinduhrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, which links Nagpur and Mumbai.

With this inauguration, the complete 701 km roadway is now operational, significantly reducing the travel time between Nagpur and Mumbai from 16 hours to just 8 hours.

The journey from Igatpuri to Kasara can now be completed in a mere 8 minutes, featuring a total of 5 tunnels in this 76 km segment. Notably, the longest tunnel on this highway stretches 8 km in the Nashik district, commencing from Igatpuri.

Prior to the launch, the Chief Minister and both Deputy Chief Ministers enjoyed a drive through the tunnel. The CM remarked, “Maharashtra’s path to prosperity – paved and delivered!”

He further asserted, “This vision has been realized, enhancing connectivity and fostering sustainable development in Maharashtra. Maharashtra’s Prosperity Lifeline: Samruddhi Mahamarg! This moment is historic, showcasing Maharashtra’s advancement through vital infrastructural progress.”

The Chief Minister’s Office announced on X, “Dream Turns into Reality. CM Devendra Fadnavis took a drive on the Hinduhrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg with DCMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. This visionary initiative, conceived by CM Devendra Fadnavis, symbolizes Maharashtra’s progress and marked the realization of a long-held aspiration for the state.”

Commenting on their shared journey, Fadnavis humorously noted, “Our car is functioning well. We three work in three shifts.”

CM Fadnavis expressed happiness about the inauguration of the fourth phase and the entire 701 km stretch of Samruddhi Mahamarg being open for vehicular traffic during the tenure of the MahaYuti government. He mentioned the upcoming development of the Shaktipeeth Mahamarg, which aims to revolutionize Marathwada and stimulate economic changes in the region. Work on this initiative will commence shortly.

The first phase of 520 km of the Samruddhi Mahamarg was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 11, 2023, followed by the second phase of 80 km between Shirdi and Bharvir by former CM Eknath Shinde on May 26, 2023, and the third phase of 25 km between Bharvir and Igatpuri by the former public works minister on March 4, 2024.

The MSRDC has developed this 701-km access-controlled expressway at a cost of Rs 55,335 crore. This six-lane expressway traverses 10 districts, 26 talukas, and 392 villages of the state and has been completed in stages. With the full project now operational, 12 districts are connected to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority.

In a related update, the southern section of the Thane Creek Bridge-3 project by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), linking Pune to Mumbai, was also inaugurated by the Chief Minister via video conferencing, facilitating smoother travel between Pune and Mumbai.