By Kavita Mistry 
The much-awaited Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg is set to open to full capacity on May 1, marking a major milestone in the states infrastructure journey. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to inaugurate the final 76-km stretch from Igatpuri to Amane during his Mumbai visit for the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit at BKC.
Once fully operational, the 701-km expressway will cut the travel time between Mumbai and Nagpur from 16 hours to just 8 hours. For commuters between Nashik and Mumbai, the travel time will shrink to just two and a half hours.
Engineering Marvel: Five Tunnels And Faster Connectivity
The final phase features five tunnels spanning a total of 11 km, including the country’s longest and widest road tunnel at 7.8 km. Thanks to this engineering feat, the journey from Igatpuri to Kasara, which earlier took nearly an hour through the hilly Kasara Ghat, will now take just eight minutes. This will bypass a major bottleneck and provide a much smoother ride.
Inauguration Timeline: A Look Back
The Samruddhi Mahamarg has been launched in phases:
- December 11, 2022: Nagpur to Shirdi stretch (520 km) inaugurated by PM Modi
- Later: Shirdi to Bharvir Interchange (80 km) opened by CM Eknath Shinde
- March 4, 2024: Bharvir Interchange to Igatpuri section (25 km) opened
- May 1, 2025: Final Igatpuri to Amane phase (76 km) to be inaugurated
Originally proposed in 2014 as a key project by then Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the expressway is now set to fulfill its vision of revolutionizing connectivity across Maharashtra.
Economic And Environmental Impact
Beyond saving time, the Samruddhi Highway is designed to save fuel, reduce emissions, and boost economic activities across the western districts. With improved connectivity to key cities and regions, it is expected to drive investments, create jobs, and improve the overall standard of living in many parts of Maharashtra.
The Samruddhi Mahamarg stands poised to become one of India’s most important expressways, ushering in a new era of faster, safer, and more efficient travel.