Maharashtra is set to mark a significant infrastructure achievement on May 1—Maharashtra Day—or possibly on May 2, with the anticipated inauguration of the final 76-kilometer stretch of the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway. This concluding segment, which connects Igatpuri to Amane, will complete the expansive 701-kilometer expressway linking Mumbai and Nagpur. The development is expected to significantly boost travel efficiency and connectivity across the state. Simultaneously, the south-bound lane of the Thane Creek Bridge is also expected to open to traffic. Anil Gaikwad, Managing Director of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), stated that both infrastructure projects were fully ready for inauguration. He mentioned that their launch was likely to enhance road access to key destinations including Navi Mumbai, Pune, and the under-construction Navi Mumbai International Airport. The improved infrastructure is expected to promote safer and faster travel across the region. The Samruddhi Expressway—officially named the Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg—has been developed in multiple phases over the years. The expressway was originally proposed by former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The first section, from Nagpur to Shirdi, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2022. This was followed by the opening of the Shirdi to Bharvir segment in May 2023 by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Subsequently, the stretch from Bharvir to Igatpuri was made operational in March 2024 under the leadership of MSRDC Minister Dada Bhuse. Beyond improving travel times between major cities in Maharashtra, the expressway is projected to serve as a driver of economic growth. It is expected to stimulate trade, boost tourism, and provide expedited access to emerging infrastructure like the Navi Mumbai International Airport. The expressway’s completion marks a major leap forward for the state’s transportation network. The final section of the Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway is slated for inauguration on Maharashtra Day. Speculation has emerged that Prime Minister Modi might be invited once again to inaugurate the final leg of the expressway, especially as he is already scheduled to be in Mumbai on May 1 for the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit at the Bandra Kurla Complex. The state may seek to combine the two events into a shared, symbolic celebration. The inauguration of the last segment of the Samruddhi Expressway will mark the culmination of a transformative infrastructure journey. It promises not only enhanced mobility but also new pathways for economic development and regional prosperity across Maharashtra. News source: The Free Press Journal