Changing City: Expansion work on old Mumbai-Nashik highway set for completion by February 2025
Mumbai Nashik Old highway expansion between Vadpe and Majiwada in Thane set for completion by February 2025
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The expansion of the existing highway is part of the traffic dispersal plan for the 701-km-long Samruddhi Mahamarg connecting Mumbai. (File)The 23.5-km stretch between Vadpe and Majiwada in Maharashtra’s Thane on the old Mumbai-Nashik National Highway is being expanded by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and is set for completion by February next year.
The expansion of the existing highway is part of the traffic dispersal plan for the 701-km-long Samruddhi Mahamarg connecting Mumbai. Previously, the expansion work was to be done by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) but since the Samruddhi Mahamarg is being undertaken by the MSRDC, the existing highway expansion work was also allotted to the Corporation to expedite the work.
Scope of work: The 23.5-km existing four-lane bitumen road is being converted into a cement concrete road and additional 2+2 service roads of 17 km, up to the Kasheli creek, will be constructed on both sides.
Cost of project: Rs 1,182 crore approximately
Deadline: February 2025
Challenges: Continuous heavy traffic due to increasing number of warehouses in Bhiwandi, coordination with multiple authorities, obtaining environmental and railway clearances.
Work model: Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) basis wherein the MSRDC will pay a certain amount of money and the rest will be borne by the NHAI. After the completion of the project, every year, the NHAI will pay the MSRDC some money for the next 15 years as repayment of project cost.
Official speak: Anil Kumar Gaikwad, Vice Chairman and Managing Director the MSRDC, said despite heavy traffic, the work is on progressively. Almost 60 per cent of the work has been finished and work on the remaining portion, which includes two creek bridges on the Kalwa and Kasheli creeks, are also 60 per cent ready. The railway overbridge girders are also expected to be raised in four months, Gaikwad said, adding the entire work is expected to be complete by February next year.
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