Mumbai: The first phase of the Samridhi Expressway, connecting the country’s financial capital Mumbai (Mumbai) and the state’s sub-capital Nagpur (Nagpur), will open from May 1. According to State Public Enterprises and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde, the work of the first phase from Nagpur to Shirdi is nearing completion. It is planned to start traffic on Phase 1 from Maharashtra Day. The construction of toll plazas at exit points along with passenger convenience is underway on both sides of Samridhi.
The grand opening of this 701 km long multi-purpose expressway will take place after a year. The work of Phase II from Shirdi to Igatpuri and Phase III from Igatpuri to Mumbai is also underway. According to MSRDC, this work will also be completed within a year.
country’s first green expressway
According to Public Enterprises Minister Eknath Shinde, the Samridhi Expressway will be the first green field expressway in the country. The 520 km stretch between Nagpur and Shirdi will be opened from May 1. Apart from this, there is a plan to take it further from Nagpur to Gadchiroli. Shinde said that there has been some delay in the construction of the expressway due to Corona. The work of Phase II is being reviewed daily. Phase II work is underway on Samridhi Expressway from Shirdi to Igatpuri and Kasara. In the second phase, the work of the longest tunnel and other viaducts near Igatpuri has been completed.
read also
Balasaheb Thackeray’s statue will be installed
The work of making a special rotary circle at zero point on Samridhi Highway towards Nagpur is also going on. There is a plan to put a statue of late Balasaheb Thackeray in the middle of the circle. Whose name has been given to this expressway.
76 underpass made
Another great feature of this green highway is that special care has been taken for the protection of wildlife here. 8 overpasses and 76 underpasses have been made on Samridhi Highway, so that wildlife does not face any problem in moving from one place to another. Noise barriers have been installed to protect wildlife from noise pollution. The movement of wildlife has started through these overpasses.
Vehicles will run at the speed of 150
Vehicles will be able to run at a speed of 150 km on the 701 km Green Expressway. Once the expressway is fully operational, the distance between Mumbai-Nagpur will be reduced to just 6 to 7 hours.
Prosperity beyond 10 districts
It has been decided to take this expressway beyond 10 districts, 26 taluks and 392 villages of the state, being built at a cost of about Rs 55,335 crore. These include Thane, Nashik, Ahmednagar, Jalna, Aurangabad, Buldhana, Washim, Amravati, Wardha and Nagpur. Now there is a plan to extend it till Gadchiroli.