The first phase of the 701-km long Mumbai – Nagpur expressway is expected to be inaugurated by 15 August this year.
“Infrastructure projects under our government are being given priority. We are giving a push to the work of Samruddhi Mahamarg, named after Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray. Nagpur to Shirdi stretch will be opened on 15 August,” said Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
According to a report by The Times of India, the project’s first leg, which is between Nagpur and Shirdi, is around 500 km long.
Officials estimate that the entire project may be completed in 2023 as the work on the Mumbai to Shirdi expressway section is underway.
Conceptualised and initiated by former CM and present deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, the 701-km six-lane super expressway crosses through 10 districts. It is set to cut the travelling time from Mumbai to Nagpur to eight hours from 14 hours.
The high-speed corridor designed for a top speed of 150 km per hour is being built at around Rs 55,000 crore.
Besides Deputy CM Fadnavis, the present CM Shinde, too, is deeply involved in this expressway project as he held the public works (public undertakings) department in both BJP and MVA governments and headed the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), which is building the Mumbai – Nagpur expressway.