Commuters between Nashik and key Maharashtra destinations have received a major boost with the launch of new, faster bus services. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) started operations on Thursday, connecting Nashik to Borivali and Nashik to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (formerly Aurangabad), significantly cutting down travel duration and offering a smoother ride.
Samruddhi Expressway: The Game Changer for Commuters
The dramatic reduction in journey time is primarily due to the strategic use of the Samruddhi Expressway. For the Nashik-Borivali route, buses now take the expressway between Igatpuri and Padgha. This 81-km stretch is covered in just over 70 minutes, a remarkable improvement from the 120 minutes or more it took on the older Mumbai-Agra National Highway. MSRTC officials reported that the overall 180-km journey saved at least 60 minutes on its inaugural day.
Passengers were quick to praise the upgraded travel experience. Rohit Mathkar, a traveller on the Borivali–Nashik service, expressed his delight, stating, "It was great to see the Samruddhi Expressway featuring long state-of-the-art tunnels, viaducts, and congestion-free roads. We experienced 21st-century mobility in a real sense with an electric bus on this new e-way."
Similar Success on Nashik–Sambhaji Nagar Route
The positive impact was mirrored on the route to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. Here, buses utilise the Samruddhi Expressway for 116 km of the total 179 km journey. A passenger, Sanjay Pathak, shared that the bus reached its destination in 4 hours, compared to the usual 5 hours and 15 minutes via the regular route. "The travel experience was excellent, as we avoided the obstructions found on the old route, which is dotted with speed breakers and frequent crossings," he said.
Benefits for Both Passengers and MSRTC
The new services deliver a win-win situation. While passengers enjoy drastically reduced travel times and a more comfortable journey, the MSRTC also benefits from toll exemptions on the Samruddhi Expressway. This makes the operation financially efficient for the state transporter while keeping travel accessible for the public.
However, some commuters highlighted areas for further improvement. Sarla Jadhav, a passenger from Nashik, pointed out, "While we reached Nashik in just about 4 hours, we hope the bottlenecks on Ghodbunder Road in Thane are cleared soon so that travel can be even faster." MSRTC officials noted they would monitor the schedule for a few more days to officially confirm the average time saved on both routes.
The launch of these services marks a significant step in enhancing regional connectivity in Maharashtra, leveraging modern infrastructure to provide faster, more reliable public transport options for daily travellers and long-distance commuters alike.
