The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has announced that the final 4.5-km section of the Hinduhrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg (HBTMSM), also known as the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway, is set to open by March 2025. This will complete the full 701-km stretch of the expressway.

Once operational, the expressway will slash travel time between the two cities from 16 to just 8 hours, while reducing the Pune-Navi Mumbai Airport commute to 2.5 hours.

Currently, the expressway is accessible from Igatpuri near Nashik to Nagpur. The last 76-km stretch between Igatpuri and Amane, near Bhiwandi, is nearing completion, with final lane-marking and painting scheduled between February 25-27. Once inaugurated, this will enable direct access to the expressway from Mumbai itself, further improving connectivity.

The expressway, designed for speeds up to 150 kmph, features advanced infrastructure like wildlife underpasses, flyovers, and pedestrian crossings. It also boasts cultural touches, with tunnels adorned in traditional Warli art and themes reflecting Maharashtra’s heritage. Also, plans for 10 public utility areas with petrol stations, eateries, and rest stops aim to enhance commuter convenience.

With this final link, the expressway is expected to boost tourism, real estate, and socio-economic growth, marking a transformative milestone for Maharashtra’s infrastructure.