The entire 76-kilometre stretch of the Samruddhi Mahamarg in Thane district is about to become operational as it is nearing completion, The Indian Express reported. Citing a senior official of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), the report said the stretch is about to be completed and will be thrown open to traffic by August-end. With this the entire 701-kilometre corridor of the Samruddhi Mahamarg will be fully operational.
Samruddhi Mahamarg Thane segment
Talking about the Thane segment of the Samruddhi Mahamarg, the official said that it includes 16 bridges and four tunnels, and has only one bridge under construction.
This bridge is the tallest on the Samruddhi Mahamarg and is about 82 metres tall. It is located in Khardi in Thane district. “The bridge spans two valleys, making the construction particularly complex. Additionally, the 76-kilometre stretch traverses hilly terrain,” the official added.
The longest span of the bridge measures 140 meters. The official emphasized that due to the height and wind speed, construction work is being carried out with extra caution to ensure safety.
As of now, the 625-kilometre-long Samruddhi Mahamarg is open to the public. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the first phase, 520-kilometre-long, between Nagpur and Shirdi in December 2022. The second phase, which runs between Shirdi and Bharvir, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in May 2023. Earlier this year, an additional 25-kilometer stretch between Bharvir and Igatpuri in the Nashik district was opened to traffic.
Meanwhile, the official announced that the lowest bidders have been selected for the extension of the Samruddhi Mahamarg to Gadchiroli, Gondia, Jalna, and Nanded. Work orders for these projects will be issued soon.