Nagpur/Mumbai: Maharashtra’s flagship infrastructure project — the 701-km Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Samruddhi Mahamarg — is set to become fully operational with the inauguration of its final 76-km stretch between Igatpuri (Nashik) and Amane (Thane) on June 5. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will formally open the stretch, which will also be thrown open to traffic the same day.
The completion marks a historic milestone for the Rs 55,000-crore mega expressway, which will now connect Nagpur to Mumbai in just eight hours, halving the earlier 16-hour journey.
Gold Rate
03 June 2025
“This is the final link, and it’s ready. The CM will inaugurate the stretch on Thursday,” confirmed Anil Gaikwad, Managing Director, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).
Constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1,182 crore, the final section features three key interchanges at Igatpuri, Kutghar (Shahapur), and Amane (Thane). Its crown jewel is a 7.8-km tunnel near Kasara Ghat — the longest highway tunnel in India — which bypasses the steep, winding ascents of the old Mumbai-Nashik route. The result: a sharp reduction in elevation from 450 metres to just 160 metres, and a cut in travel time on this stretch from 90 to 40 minutes.
A vision realised
Conceptualised by Fadnavis during his first tenure as CM, the expressway encountered early resistance over land acquisition but ultimately overcame the challenges to become one of India’s most transformative road infrastructure ventures. It spans 10 districts and 390 villages, weaving through the heart of Maharashtra with 33 major bridges, 274 minor bridges, 65 flyovers, and six tunnels.
The project was executed in phases:
• Phase 1 (Nagpur–Shirdi): Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2022
• Phase 2 (Shirdi–Bharvir): Opened by CM Eknath Shinde in May 2023
• Phase 3 (Bharvir–Igatpuri): Inaugurated by then MSRDC Minister Dada Bhuse in March 2024
With the final Igatpuri-Amane leg in place, the Samruddhi Mahamarg is now a seamless corridor of speed, commerce, and connectivity, built to handle speeds up to 150 kmph. It is expected to give a massive boost to logistics, tourism, and economic development in the state.
