The 701 km long road project connecting Mumbai and Nagpur has now entered its final phase. Officially named ‘Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samriddhi Mahamarg’, the Samriddhi Expressway reflects the ambitions of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Initially conceived by Fadnavis during his tenure as Mayor of Nagpur, the project stemmed from his commitment to enhance Nagpur’s infrastructure and address the need for a direct, high-speed link to Mumbai, the economic hub of Maharashtra. .
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said, ‘This expressway will create a new development engine for the state, which will connect rural areas with urban centres. This will ensure that Vidarbha’s potential can be fully utilised. Let us tell you, this expressway has not been planned only as a road route. It is designed as an infrastructure project to transform the socio-economic landscape.
State’s longest expressway ‘Samriddhi Expressway’
Maharashtra Samriddhi Expressway, the longest expressway in the state, was announced in 2015 and Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) was appointed the executing agency of the project. By 2019, key formalities such as project report, land acquisition and funding were completed, allowing construction to begin. The first 520 km phase of the project connecting Nagpur to Shirdi was opened on 11 December 2022, reducing travel time in Central Maharashtra. A second 80 km section from Shirdi to Igatpuri was opened in May 2023, extending the route towards Mumbai.
The final phase of the expressway, which connects Igatpuri to Mumbai, completes the 701-km corridor, reducing travel time between Mumbai and Nagpur by about eight hours. Featuring six tunnels, including the state’s longest 7.7 km long twin tunnels between Kasara Ghat and Igatpuri, the corridor crosses three wildlife sanctuaries, 35 wildlife focus areas and also includes a high bridge over the Wardha River. Wildlife underpasses and overpasses were also included to ensure safe movement of animals on the expressway.
opening uncontaminated areas
Maharashtra’s economic strength has traditionally been centered on the “Golden Triangle” of Mumbai, Pune and Nashik, which contribute about 60% of the state’s GSDP. Despite emerging industrial centers in places like Sangli, Satara and Kolhapur, eastern Maharashtra has remained underdeveloped due to limited connectivity. The Samriddhi Expressway was designed to bridge this gap, acting as an economic corridor that spans ten major districts and indirectly connects 14 others, opening up new development opportunities.
The expressway also strategically connects Mumbai’s economic hubs such as Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) and the new Navi Mumbai Airport. With 24 interchanges connecting industrial and economic centres, the project aims to boost development through townships planned at intervals of 30-40 km along the route. These 18 townships will include essential amenities like schools, hospitals, skill centers and parks, which will promote comprehensive community development and long-term economic impact.
Major initiative taken by Fadnavis for expressway project
Maharashtra pioneered greenfield expressways in India with the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, which was completed in 2002. However, further development of the expressway remained stalled until 2015, when Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis endorsed the Samruddhi Expressway to increase connectivity and promote development in Vidarbha, a historically deprived region. Under the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, Fadnavis took the project forward by securing approvals, minimizing bureaucratic delays and prioritizing infrastructure development for balanced regional development across the state.
Land acquisition
Fadnavis’ proactive approach streamlined the complex land acquisition process for the 701-km-long Samruddhi Expressway, which was a significant challenge for large projects spread across multiple districts. Their structured policy ensured fair compensation and focused on transparent communication with affected communities, which helped garner public support and expedite approval. To address potential delays, Fadnavis set up an “infrastructure war room” in 2015, improving coordination and reducing land disputes that often stall major projects. This initiative, with clear strategies for environmental clearances, enabled smooth progress in sensitive areas.