Mumbai–Nagpur Expressway’s Final Stretch Opens, Cutting Travel Time in Half

The much-anticipated final segment of the Mumbai–Nagpur Expressway—officially known as the Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg—opens to the public on June 5, 2025. Spanning 701 kilometres, this six-lane, access-controlled highway is set to transform Maharashtra’s connectivity, economy, and tourism landscape.

A Corridor for Growth and Connectivity

Launched in 2015, with land acquisition beginning in 2017 and the foundation stone laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018, the Samruddhi Mahamarg has been designed to spur economic growth in Maharashtra’s rural regions. The expressway links Mumbai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) with Nagpur’s MIHAN (Multimodal International Hub Airport), creating a seamless corridor for trade, logistics, and development.

Expressway Highlights

• Name: Samruddhi Mahamarg
• Length: 701 km
• Estimated Cost: ₹55,000 Crore
• Lanes: Six, expandable to eight
• Districts Covered: Nagpur, Wardha, Amravati, Washim, Buldhana, Jalna, Aurangabad, Nashik, Ahmednagar, Thane
• Travel Time: 8 hours (reduced by 50%)
• Owner: Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC)

Route and Infrastructure

The expressway traverses 10 districts and 390 villages, crossing three wildlife sanctuaries with special underpasses and overpasses for fauna. The infrastructure boasts 33 major bridges, 274 minor bridges, six tunnels, and 65 flyovers, ensuring a smooth and safe journey.

Cities and Destinations Along the Route

Key cities along the Mumbai–Nagpur Expressway include Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Shahapur, Igatpuri, Sinnar, Kopargaon, Shirdi, Vaijapur, Aurangabad Caves, Shendra, Jalna, Sindkhed Raja, Mehkar, Malegaon Jahangir, Karanja, Dhamangaon, Pulgaon, Wardha, Seloo, Butibori Power Plant, and MIHAN SEZ (Nagpur).

Boosting Tourism and Regional Access

The expressway unlocks access to some of Maharashtra’s top tourist destinations:

• Shirdi – 5 km
• Trimbakeshwar Shiv Temple – 14 km
• Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary – 60 km
• Bibi ka Maqbara – 5 km
• Sula Vineyards – 8 km
• Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve – 124 km
• Pench National Park – 95 km

Enhanced Airport Connectivity

With the expressway’s completion, connectivity to Navi Mumbai Airport will be dramatically improved. Travel time from Pune to the airport is expected to drop from over four hours to just 2.5 hours.