MSRDC Selects Apco Infra To Develop Wayside Amenities At 16 Locations Along Samruddhi Mahamarg

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has nominated Apco Infratech to develop and operate wayside amenities at 16 locations along Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg.

The agency overseeing the construction and development of the Samruddhi Mahamarg had invited tenders for the development of these amenities in July 2023.

The chosen concessionaire will be responsible for developing and operating wayside amenities by leasing land parcels of 4-5 hectares along the expressway for a duration of 60 years. Additionally, they have the flexibility to sub-lease these land parcels to a third party.

It may be recalled that MSRDC has faced significant criticism for the absence of wayside amenities since the expressway opened for traffic in 2022. The scrutiny intensified following a series of reported accidents on the new expressway, with highway hypnosis identified as one of the contributing factors.

Motorists travelling on the Samruddhi Expressway are experiencing highway hypnosis, as there are no hoardings or billboards on the roadsides or hotels/dhabas on the newly-built highway that would distract a driver’s mind.

The first phase, a 520-km stretch connecting Nagpur to the temple town of Shirdi in Ahmednagar district, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2022.

In the second phase, an 80-km stretch between Shirdi and Bharvir village in Igatpuri was inaugurated on 27 May 2023, by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

MSRDC has now planned to open another 25-km stretch of the expressway, between Bharvir village and Igatpuri town in Nashik district, by February this year.

With the opening of the 25-km stretch, the Nashik district portion of work will be completed, and only Thane district work will remain to be done.

The MSRDC aims to operationalise the final 76-km stretch till Amane, creating a connection to Mumbai by July 2024.