Temporary Food Courts, Safety Measures, and Key Upgrades Set to Transform Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg

Commuters on the 701-km Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg will soon benefit from temporary food courts housed in containers at 11 strategic locations. This initiative, introduced by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) through selected contractors, aims to provide essential amenities until permanent facilities are established.

According to an MSRDC official, contractors have been given 18 months to develop full-scale wayside facilities. Meanwhile, the container-based food courts are expected to be set up within two months, with operations projected to begin by April.

The initial plan to develop amenities along the highway faced setbacks. Previously, a contract awarded to a single developer, APPCO, was canceled due to the company’s inability to deposit ₹275 crore and other issues. A revised bidding process was then initiated, with multiple contractors now appointed to ensure faster and smoother execution of the project across different sites.

Safety concerns on the Samruddhi Mahamarg have been rising, particularly due to a phenomenon known as highway hypnosis, where drivers experience drowsiness during long, monotonous journeys. Since the first phase of the highway opened in December 2022, MSRDC has implemented measures to combat this issue, such as installing colorful flags every 10 kilometers and rumbler strips every 25 kilometers to create vibrations that keep drivers alert. Officials believe the introduction of food courts will further enhance safety by offering drivers much-needed breaks.

The highway’s final 76-km stretch, connecting Igatpuri to Amane in Thane, is set to open soon. This section bypasses the challenging Kasara Ghat, reducing travel time between Igatpuri and Amane from 90 minutes to 40 minutes. Once completed, the entire Mumbai-Nagpur route can be covered in just eight hours.

This newly completed stretch includes India’s widest tunnel, spanning 17.5 meters, and the state’s longest tunnel, an 8-km stretch at Igatpuri. It also features 15 viaducts totaling 11 kilometers, with the tallest in Shahapur standing at 84 meters, equivalent to a 28-story building. Additionally, three interchanges at Igatpuri, Kutghar (Shahapur), and Amane (Thane) will enhance connectivity.

In parallel, MSRDC is overseeing the expansion of the old Mumbai-Nashik Highway from four lanes to eight between Vadape and Majiwada in Thane. This 21.6-km stretch faces engineering challenges, such as constructing two creek bridges at Kalwa and Kasheli and a rail overbridge. A 17-km service road from Thane to Kasheli is also under development to ease traffic flow.

The need for this expansion is driven by traffic congestion caused by warehouses in Bhiwandi and vehicles merging from the Mumbra, Ghodbunder, and Pune highways. The project, costing ₹1,182 crore, follows the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), with expenses shared between MSRDC and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). NHAI will reimburse MSRDC over 15 years.

Although the project faced delays due to forest clearance requirements, progress is steady, and officials expect completion within four months. This expansion is anticipated to alleviate congestion and improve connectivity in the region.