Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, Dy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar Take the Wheel on Newly Completed Samruddhi Expressway
Nashik, 5th June 2025: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, accompanied by Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, took the wheel himself to drive on the newly inaugurated Samruddhi Expressway, marking the completion of the final 76 km stretch and the full operationalization of the ambitious 701 km Mumbai-Nagpur corridor. The official opening ceremony, held at Igatpuri in Nashik district, was a grand affair attended by senior officials and ministers, celebrating a milestone for the state’s infrastructure.
Fadnavis, visibly elated, captioned a video of the drive on social media: “Maharashtra’s path to prosperity, paved and delivered!” In the footage, he was seen driving with the windows open, Deputy CM Shinde by his side, and Ajit Pawar seated at the back. The Chief Minister’s gesture of a thumbs-up symbolized the successful culmination of the project, which now connects Mumbai and Nagpur in just eight hours, down from the previous 17–18 hours.
The Samruddhi Expressway, officially named the Hindu Hridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, is a six-lane access-controlled highway that traverses 392 villages across 10 districts. The expressway features advanced infrastructure including five twin tunnels, 17 valley viaducts, and extensive wildlife-friendly underpasses and overpasses. It is expected to boost economic growth, facilitate faster cargo and passenger movement, and support the development of smart industrial townships along its route.
During the inspection, both Fadnavis and Shinde took turns driving, with Ajit Pawar remaining in the back seat. The journey between Igatpuri and Amane in Thane district, including the inspection of the longest tunnel, lasted about 45 minutes. The project, constructed at a cost of over Rs 55,000 crore, is now set to transform regional connectivity and drive sustainable development for Maharashtra.
Fadnavis described the expressway as an “engineering marvel” and a “dream realized,” emphasizing its role as an economic corridor that will accelerate the state’s prosperity.
