Key Points

CM Fadnavis labelled it an "engineering marvel," stating that the Mahayuti government's dream was being fulfilled.

While addressing a press conference, Fadnavis said the Samruddhi Mahamarg was a corridor of Maharashtra's economy.

"It is a matter of joy for the Mahayuti government that the dream we had after 2014 is being fulfilled today. Samruddhi Mahamarg is not just a road. It is the corridor of Maharashtra's economy. We have created an engineering marvel here," Fadnavis said.

The 701-kilometre highway, whose first phase was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will connect 24 districts of Maharashtra. It crosses 10 districts, including 26 talukas and 392 villages, from Nagpur to Mumbai, providing direct access to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Navi Mumbai. This will likely boost trade in the state.

"The first phase was inaugurated under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the second phase was inaugurated under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and the third phase was inaugurated under the leadership of Dada Bhuse," the Maharashtra Chief Minister said.

Considering the sensitivity of environmental spaces along the highway's route, Fadnavis said that overpasses, underpasses and tunnels have been constructed to protect wildlife.

"92 overpasses and eight underpasses have been constructed to prevent any kind of obstacles to wildlife. A total of 7 tunnels have been built. We will break the record for the widest tunnel in the country when the Pune-Mumbai Missing Link tunnel is completed," he added.

Fadnavis said that the land acquisition for the highway was done in record time while also ensuring that a gas pipeline would reach Nagpur via the Konkan region, providing industries with access to gas.

"A gas pipeline is going to reach from Konkan to Nagpur, which will provide industries with access to gas. Work has been done to connect religious places. Many people thought this work would not be done, but land acquisition was done in record time," the CM said.

He added that more than 33 lakh trees have been planted using local species with 1,000 farm ponds while constructing the highway, which would provide relief from the rising temperatures.

"More than 33 lakh trees have been planted using local species. One thousand farm ponds were created while the road was being built. We have made preparations to generate 200 megawatts of solar energy and have set up facility centres at 22 places," Fadnavis said.

The Samruddhi Mahamarg was named after Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray when Eknath Shinde was the Minister for Public Works (Undertakings) in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. The project, however, started during the previous BJP-Shiv Sena government.

- ANI