PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Phase 1 of Maharashtra Samriddhi Mahamarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Phase - I of the Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg in Nagpur today, which covers a distance of 520 kilometres and connects Nagpur and Shirdi.

The Prime Minister tweeted: “We are committed to delivering on top quality infrastructure and the Mahamarg between Nagpur and Shirdi is an example of this effort. Inaugurated this modern road project and also drove on the Mahamarg. I am sure it will contribute to further economic progress of Maharashtra.”

The Prime Minister was felicitated upon his arrival and was accompanied by Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, Governor of Maharashtra, Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari.

Samruddhi Mahamarg or Nagpur-Mumbai Super Communication Expressway Project is a major step towards realising the prime minister’s vision of improved connectivity and infrastructure across the country. The 701km expressway, which is being built at a cost of about Rs 55,000 crore, is one of India's longest expressways and passes through Maharashtra’s 10 districts and prominent urban regions of Amravati, Aurangabad and Nashik.

The expressway will also help improve the connectivity of adjoining 14 other districts, thus facilitating the development of about 24 districts of the state including the regions of Vidarbha, Marathwada and North Maharashtra.

In line with the overall goal of integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects under the PM Gati Shakti programme, the Samruddhi Mahamarg will connect with the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and tourist locations like Ajanta Ellora Caves, Shirdi, Verul and Lonar.

Samruddhi Mahamarg is billed to be a game-changer in providing a major boost to the economic development of Maharashtra.

All images: PIB