Maharashtra: PM inaugurates Phase I of Samruddhi Mahamarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the 520-km-long Nagpur-Shirdi Phase I of the Balasaheb Thackeray Samruddhi Mahamarg. Phase II between Shirdi and Mumbai is expected to be operational in less than a year.

PM Modi along with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Raosaheb Danve, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari along with other leaders and ministers from Maharashtra were in Nagpur for the inauguration and bhoomipujan of several projects.

‘Efficient double engine'

The PM also flagged off the Vande Bharat Express between Nagpur and Bilaspur. Speaking on the occasion, the PM congratulated the people of Nagpur on the inauguration of the Nagpur Metro's Phase 1. Modi said that the opening of the ambitious project between Nagpur and Shirdi is an example of the efforts of his government delivering top quality infrastructure.

He also said, "The way in which infrastructure projects are getting completed also proves the fact that the double engine sarkar is efficiently running at a fast pace. The Samruddhi Mahamarg will not just reduce the distance between Nagpur and Mumbai but also provide 24 districts with modern facilities. This highway will also be helpful for the development of agriculture and the industrial sector and will help devotees to quickly reach several pilgrimage places along the route."

He also alleged that some political parties are trying to destroy the country's economy and people should expose such politicians and parties. He appealed to all political leaders to focus on sustainable development instead of shortcut politics and said that one can win elections with sustainable development.

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'All challenges met'

Talking on the occasion, CM Eknath Shinde said that he was happy to have the expressway named after Balasaheb Thackeray. "While implementing the project, we faced many challenges including opposition for land acquisition, people were told to oppose the project, but despite all the challenges we did the land acquisition in record time."

Shinde also said this eco-friendly highway would help maintain the ecological balance as over 11 lakh trees will be planted and 250 mega watt solar energy will also be generated. Shinde also said that this project is not just a highway but a game changer and phase II between Shirdi and Mumbai will be open in less than a year.

Dy CM Fadnavis said, "The Samruddhi Mahamarg between Nagpur and Mumbai will help in the economic growth of the region. The land acquisition for the 700-km-long project was completed in record time of nine months without a single litigation. The land securitisation and monitisation model brought by our PM will help us generate Rs 50,000 crore in two years from this project and that money will be spent on developing other infrastructure projects in the state. We also have kept space on the highway for a railway and have plans to run a semi-high speed cargo rail on the same."

About the Mahamarg

. In order to facilitate easier travel between the cities of Nagpur (the second capital of Maharashtra) and Mumbai, former CM Devendra Fadanvis announced the construction of the Nagpur-Mumbai Super Communication Expressway (Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg) in 2015

. MSRDC was to construct this greenfield expressway

. After a detailed survey and project report the total project cost of Rs 55,335-crore was approved. The cost was funded by raising the debt of Rs 28,000-crore from a consortium of domestic lending institutions led by SBI. The lion's share of Rs 8,000-crore debt was funded by SBI

. The travel time for the 701-km distance between Nagpur and Mumbai will be reduced by 6-7 hours and 10 districts will be connected directly to Mumbai by an access-controlled expressway

. MSRDC constructed 100 structures to facilitate easy movement of wildlife across the expressway

. The HSP (Highway Safety Police) have set up 15 traffic aid posts (TAPs) along the expressway. At least 21 ambulances, 21 quick response vehicles, 15 cranes of 30 MT each and 15 patrolling vehicles are deployed

. The expressway will promote tourism as it connects locations like Shirdi, Verul, Lonar Lake, Ajanta, Ellora, Aurangabad, Jyotirlingas of Trimbakeshwar and Ghrushneshwar, Panchvati, Hill station at Igatpuri, etc

. It is expected that after completion of this project, people will find employment near their hometowns and this may help stem migration

. It is planned to open the entire balance stretch of the expressway for traffic in less than a year.