Maharashtra's Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway is set to undergo a transformative upgrade as Apco Infratech Pvt Ltd takes charge of developing enhanced wayside amenities. The bid was secured through a competitive bidding process. MSRDC leased the land to Apco for a 60-year period and secured Rs 275 crore in lease fees, which is to be paid in phases. Apco Infratech, known for its involvement in the Versova-Bandra Sea Link project, is set to invest Rs 8-10 crore at each of the 16 key locations. This development comes as an essential step to address past criticisms and enhance the travel experience along the expressway.
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has selected Apco Infratech Pvt Ltd through a bidding process to enhance wayside amenities along the Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway. The land has been leased by MSRDC to Apco for a whopping 60 year period and the company has the freedom to sublease it to a third party.
The MSRDC secured Rs 275 crore as lease fees (excluding taxes) and will receive this amount in two installments. The first installment of nearly Rs 175 crore has been initiated with the issuance of the Letter of Intent (LOI), and the remaining sum will be settled upon the signing of the agreement, which is expected within a month.
Apco Infratech Pvt Ltd is the same company currently engaged in the construction of the Versova Bandra Sea Link in a joint venture with WeBuild - a project of MSRDC. The development of wayside amenities at 16 locations along Samruddhi Mahamarg will require an investment of Rs 8-10 crore each.
The 701-kilometer long Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway, connecting Nagpur to Mumbai, has already seen 600 kilometers open for public use, inaugurated in two phases by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in December 2022 and May 2023, respectively. The MSRDC is planning to open an additional 25 kilometers of the Samruddhi Mahamarg for traffic by February.
Despite the completion, the MSRDC faced criticism for the lack of wayside amenities, contributing to accidents on the expressway. In response, temporary provisions for refreshments, toilets, and mechanics were made available at nearby fuel filling stations.
Looking ahead, the MSRDC plans to begin the construction of the remaining 76-kilometer stretch of the Samruddhi Mahamarg up to Amane in Thane district by July this year. The expressway, officially named Hinduhruday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, aims to reduce travel time between Mumbai and Nagpur from 16 to 8 hours, covering 10 districts of Maharashtra at a total project cost of Rs 55,335 crore.
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