Maharashtra's ambitious Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway is set to become fully operational today, June 5 with Maharashtra CM inaugurating the final stretch between Igatpuri (Nashik) and Amane (Thane). This marks the completion of the 701-km high-speed corridor, reducing travel time between Mumbai and Nagpur from 16 hours to just eight.

Build at a cost of ₹1,182 crore, the newly opened section features India's longest road tunnel, a 7.8 km passage through the challenging Kasara Ghat, cutting the Igatpuri- Amane commute from 90 minutes to 40. The expressway, designed for speeds up to 150 kmph, includes 33 major bridges, 65 flyovers, and six tunnels, enhancing connectivity across 10 districts and 390 villages.

While the full corridor is now functional, Mumbai-bound traffic will temporarily use a detour near Bhiwandi until the Vadpe interchange linking to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is completed by mid-2026.

Named the ‘Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg’, the ₹55,000-crore project is expected to boost trade, tourism, and regional development, offering faster access to Shirdi and streamlining agricultural transport.