5.8 Lakh Vehicles Traverse, 422 Crore Toll Tax Collected on Samruddhi Highway Since Inauguration

Mumbai-Nagpur, 11th December 2023: The first phase of the 520 km Nagpur-Shirdi section of the Mumbai-Nagpur Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Highway was officially inaugurated on December 11, 2022, marking a significant milestone in the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation’s (MSRDC) ambitious project. However, concerns have arisen as 73 accidents have been reported on the highway since its opening, resulting in the tragic loss of 142 lives.

Since its inauguration, the Nagpur-Shirdi section has witnessed a substantial flow of traffic, with 58 lakh 1 thousand 154 vehicles travelling on this route within the first year. The MSRDC has collected a staggering amount of 422 crore 9 lakh 79 thousand 399 rupees in Toll tax from these vehicles during the same period.

Originally envisioned as a 701 km Samruddhi Highway connecting Mumbai and Nagpur to shorten travel distances, the project faced delays for various reasons. To mitigate these delays, the MSRDC opted for a phased opening. The 520 km stretch from Nagpur to Shirdi was inaugurated on December 11, 2022, and later, in May 2023, the 80 km Shirdi-Bharvir stage was opened to the public.

Accidents Cast Shadow on Success:
The otherwise celebratory occasion of the highway’s inauguration is marred by a series of accidents that have plagued the Samruddhi Highway. Over the year, 73 accidents have been reported, leading to the unfortunate loss of 142 lives. The causes of these accidents are varied, with the majority attributed to a lack of control over vehicles.

The increasing number of accidents has raised concerns about the safety measures in place on the Samruddhi Highway. Authorities are conducting ongoing investigations into the causes of the accidents, and steps are being taken to enhance safety protocols on the highway.