Nagpur: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated on Sunday that the proposed extension of the Samruddhi Expressway to eastern Vidarbha will significantly boost the local economy. Speaking on the sidelines of an event inaugurating the Godam Logistics Park, Fadnavis emphasized that completing the project on time is a top priority.
Economic Impact and Employment Generation
Fadnavis highlighted that the Samruddhi extension will provide a major impetus to industries in eastern Vidarbha. The project is expected to substantially reduce logistics costs while generating employment on a very large scale. Our primary focus is on creating job opportunities, he said.
Nagpur as a National Logistics Hub
Regarding Nagpur's growing prominence as a national logistics hub, Fadnavis noted that the state's logistics policy is already yielding results. The logistics policy we formulated has made Nagpur one of the country's logistics hubs. A large number of logistics parks are being developed, which will further reduce logistics costs. To be globally competitive and integrate into the global supply chain, reducing logistics costs is crucial, he explained.
Details of the Extension Project
The Samruddhi Expressway extension will add approximately 400 kilometers of six-lane highway, and preparations are in advanced stages. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has nearly completed joint measurement of private land for extensions towards Gondia and Gadchiroli. This includes 104 out of 113 villages on the Gondia route and 58 out of 62 villages on the Bhandara leg. An alternative alignment for the Chandrapur extension is awaiting approval after coal blocks were discovered on the originally planned route. Land acquisition for the extensions is estimated to cost more than Rs 4,500 crore.
Future Connectivity Plans
The state budget also proposed connecting the expressway southward to Chheda Nagar and Anand Nagar in south Mumbai by 2028, effectively creating an expressway spine from Gadchiroli in the far east to south Mumbai. Additionally, a Tawa-Bharvir freight corridor connecting Vadhavan Port in Palghar to the Samruddhi Expressway has been proposed to support goods movement between the port and inland markets.
