The Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, commonly known as Samruddhi Expressway, will no longer be just a high-speed travel route. The highway is soon going to become Maharashtra’s first renewable energy corridor, where infrastructure and environmental sustainability will be combined.
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has planned to install hybrid renewable energy systems, consisting of solar panels and wind turbines, along the 701-km long route. It aims to generate 150 to 200 megawatts of clean energy in the initial phase to power the highway’s lighting, tunnels, interchanges, etc. This will not only cut down on power costs but also reduce carbon emissions.
Green Initiative
The project is part of a comprehensive strategy to develop the Samruddhi Expressway as an ideal “green corridor”. It aims to promote efficient use of energy and ensure environmental accountability. The scheme is in line with the state government’s environmental goals and policy to promote renewable energy, which will enable Maharashtra to move towards sustainable development by reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
To speed up this work, MSRDC has set up a special purpose vehicle (SPV), Mahasamruddhi Renewable Energy Limited, which will be responsible for the development and implementation of the project. The project will be implemented on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, on a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis, in which private companies will be invited to invest and operate.
Beneficial Use Of Unused Land
An important feature of this scheme is that solar panels and wind turbines will be installed on the unused land along the expressway. This will make better use of that land and convert it into a source of energy production.
MSRDC has started the process of appointing a renewable energy consultant to provide technical guidance to the project. The consultant will examine the feasibility of the project, prepare detailed reports, and monitor the planning and implementation process of the entire project. It will also suggest design plans, construction techniques, cost analysis, and latest technological solutions to maximize the power generation potential.
A Confluence Of Modern Engineering And Environmental Awareness
Completed in four phases over a period of about two and a half years, Samruddhi Mahamarg is already counted among the biggest infrastructure projects in Maharashtra. Its 520 km stretch, which stretches from Nagpur to Shirdi, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2022. The subsequent stretches from Shirdi to Bharveer (105 km) were completed in May 2023, Bharveer to Igatpuri in March 2024, and finally the last 76 km piece to Amane (Thane) on June 5, 2025.
When the project is fully implemented, Samriddhi Mahamarg will not only be a fast and efficient travel route but will also become a living example of how modern infrastructure and environmental balance can be achieved together.
