Samruddhi Expressway Marks Two Years, Registers 1.52 Crore Vehicles, but Faces Safety Concerns

Mumbai: The Samruddhi Expressway, which was designed to connect Nagpur and Mumbai in just eight hours, is celebrating its second anniversary today. Since its inauguration, the 701 km expressway has seen a total of 1.52 crore vehicles passing through, generating a revenue of ₹1,102 crore for the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).

The expressway, with its 625 km stretch from Nagpur to Igatpuri, has proven to be a vital link. The first phase, covering 520 km from Nagpur to Shirdi, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 11, 2022.

According to MSRDC Managing Director Anilkumar Gaikwad, vehicle numbers on the Nagpur-Igatpuri stretch have been impressive, with 1.52 crore vehicles recorded between December 2022 and December 2024. This includes 1 crore 5 lakh light vehicles, 5 lakh 4 thousand light commercial vehicles, and 42 lakh 16 thousand heavy vehicles. Gaikwad anticipates a further rise in vehicle traffic in the coming years.

However, the expressway has also witnessed a troubling number of accidents. In the past two years, 233 lives have been lost in 140 accidents. To address this, the highway and traffic police have ramped up efforts, including regular checks and safety measures along the expressway, such as placing colorful trees, paintings, and sculptures to alert drivers. Additionally, traffic police continue to provide regular driver guidance. Despite these efforts, officials hope that these measures will help reduce the accident rate in the future.