The much-awaited remaining Samruddhi Mahamarg stretch is all set to be functional in the last week of August.
This will provide a faster route for commuters travelling between Mumbai, Nashik and beyond. People travelling between the two cities will save around one hour as they will cover the distance in just 40 minutes.
The remaining Samruddhi Mahamarg stretch is 76 km from Igatpuri to Amane in Thane. Frequent travellers are eagerly awaiting the opening of the remaining stretch of the highway.
The whole Samruddhi Mahamarg highway is 701 km long. Out of which, only 625 km of stretch from Nagpur up to Igatpuri down is open for commuters. At present, it has been found that 30,000 vehicles use the functioning stretch, generating a toll of Rs 2 crore every day.
In an interview with The Indian Express, Anil Kumar Gaikwad, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), revealed that the new highway will allow commuters to bypass the old Kasara Ghat and travel at a speed limit of 120 kmph.
He said, “The travel time from Igatpuri to Shangrila Resort in Thane, covering a 76 km stretch, will be reduced to just 40 minutes. Currently, this journey takes around 1.5 hours or more due to the ghat section on the old Mumbai-Nashik Highway. The new Samruddhi stretch will feature a twin tunnel, a viaduct that passes through a valley offering a smoother drive with normal gradient terrain, eliminating sharp curves unlike on the old highway.”
Anil Kumar Gaikwad also revealed that even though the bridge at Shahapur is under-construction, one part of the four lane bridge is expected to be completed by August.
He added that as the second part of the bridge will be constructed in another two months, two additional lanes will be functional for traffic from either side. The bridge is 82 metres in height and two km long. Gaikwad highlighted that the bridge is taking longer to construct as there is forest around the area.
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