Food courts in containers at 11 locations: temporary relief for commuters on Samruddhi Mahamarg

According to an MSRDC official, contractors have been given 18 months to develop fully functional wayside amenities. In the interim, the container-based food courts will be set up in two months, with operations expected to begin by April.

The idea of wayside amenities along Samruddhi Mahamarg faced initial setbacks. The Indian Express previously reported that MSRDC had to cancel a bid awarded to a single contractor named APPCO due to its failure to deposit the requisite Rs 275 crore for developing wayside amenities at 16 locations, along with other reasons for cancelling the initial bid. A revised tender process followed, with multiple agencies now appointed to handle the project at different sites. This change aims to expedite the development of essential facilities and ensure smoother execution.

Addressing commuter safety

The absence of refreshment areas along the Samruddhi Mahamarg has raised concerns about commuter safety, particularly with the phenomenon of highway hypnosis. This condition—a state of drowsy disconnection caused by monotonous long drives—has been a growing issue since the highway’s first phase opened in December 2022.

To mitigate risks, MSRDC has implemented measures such as colourful flags placed every 10 kilometres and rumbler strips every 25 kilometres to create vibrations that help drivers stay alert. Officials believe establishing food courts will further enhance safety, offering much-needed breaks for drivers on this expansive stretch.

Final stretch from Igatpuri to Amane set to open

Meanwhile, MSRDC is preparing to open the final 76-km stretch of the highway from Igatpuri to Amane in Thane in February. This phase, which bypasses the challenging Kasara Ghat, promises to significantly reduce travel time between Amane and Igatpuri from 90 minutes to just 40 minutes. Completing this phase will also enable seamless travel from Mumbai to Nagpur in just eight hours.

This newly constructed segment features India’s widest tunnel, measuring 17.5 meters, as well as the state’s longest tunnel—an 8-kilometer stretch in Igatpuri. Additional highlights include 15 viaducts totalling 11 kilometres, with the tallest viaduct in Shahapur rising to an impressive 84 meters, equivalent to a 28-storey building. Three interchanges at Igatpuri, Kutghar in Shahapur, and Amane in Thane will further streamline connectivity.

MSRDC also oversees the expansion of the existing old Mumbai-Nashik Highway, upgrading it from four lanes to an eight-lane expressway between Vadape and Majiwada in Thane. This 21.6-km stretch poses significant engineering challenges, including 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.

Heavy traffic along this route, fueled by numerous warehouses in Bhiwandi and merging traffic from the Mumbra, Ghodbunder, and Pune highways, underscores the need for the upgrade. The project, costing approximately Rs 1,182 crore, is being executed under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), where MSRDC and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) share costs, with the latter repaying MSRDC over 15 years.

While construction faced delays due to forest clearance requirements, work is progressing steadily. Officials anticipate the expansion to be completed within four months, easing congestion and improving connectivity in the region.