Mumbai: The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has completed work on the remaining 76-kilometer stretch of the Hinduhrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg (HBTMSM), with plans to open it for vehicular traffic by mid-March.
A senior MSRDC official confirmed that the construction of the final stretch is complete, with only the connecting road to the expressway, being built on behalf of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), still under progress. "We will complete this work by March 10," the official said.
When asked about the opening of the 76-kilometer stretch, the official affirmed that MSRDC aims to make it operational between Bharvir in Igatpuri and Aamne in Bhiwandi by mid-March. Additional work, including tree plantation and the installation of crash barriers, is also set for completion by March 10.
The Samruddhi Mahamarg, a flagship project initiated during Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s first term, spans 701 kilometers to connect Mumbai and Nagpur. Designed as an access-controlled expressway, it aims to significantly reduce travel time between the two cities and drive Maharashtra’s socio-economic growth.
Construction began in January 2019, with major sections already operational. The first 625-kilometer stretch from Nagpur to Shirdi was inaugurated in December 2022, followed by the 105-kilometer segment from Shirdi to Bharvir in May 2023.
A crucial 4.5-kilometer link between Amane and the Shangri La Resort on the old Mumbai-Nashik Highway remains under construction, essential for the full-scale operation of the expressway.
To enhance commuter convenience, MSRDC plans to establish 10 public utility areas, featuring fuel stations, eateries, and other amenities. Built to support speeds of up to 150 kmph, the expressway incorporates state-of-the-art infrastructure, including a Greenfield alignment, wildlife underpasses, flyovers, and pedestrian crossings.
Announced in November 2015, the expressway was constructed in 16 phases. Once fully operational, it is expected to revolutionize Maharashtra’s transport infrastructure, significantly boosting economic development across the state.
