Samruddhi traffic increases by 57 lakh in a year; toll collection by Rs 495 crore

Chhatrapati Sambhajingar: Traffic on the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway has risen sharply in the 2025–26 financial year, with the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation data showing a jump in both vehicular movement as well as toll revenue on the access-controlled highway.Between April 2025 and March 2026, 1.6 crore vehicles used the expressway — up by around 57.4 lakh from the previous year's 1.05 crore. Toll collection increased to Rs 1,240.04 crore — over Rs 495 crore higher than the previous year, revealed the MSRDC records.The 701-km Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg was developed by MSRDC and is designed for speeds up to 120 kmph. It passes through 10 districts and forms part of a wider plan to improve logistics efficiency and reduce travel time between Mumbai and Nagpur from around 16 hours to nearly 8 hours.Officials attributed the traffic surge to reduced travel time between Mumbai and Nagpur, with the expressway emerging as a preferred route despite concerns over accidents. The data showed a consistent upward trend since the highway opened to traffic in Dec 2022.In its initial four months of operation, around 14.3 lakh vehicles plied on the expressway, generating toll revenue of Rs 106.4 crore. The figures rose to 72.5 lakh vehicles in 2023. In 2024, traffic crossed 1.05 crore vehicles, contributing over Rs 740 crore in toll revenue.Industry stakeholders said the expressway is increasingly being used for freight movement.Industrialist Ram Bhogle said nearly 80% of industrial transport shifted to the Samruddhi corridor in the past year, and added that smoother traffic flow at Bhiwandi and Thane could further accelerate cargo movement into Mumbai."If congestion bottlenecks are addressed, the expressway's usage will rise further, especially once it connects seamlessly to ports and extends towards Gujarat," he said.Transporters, however, flagged last-mile connectivity issues. Fayyaz Khan said congestion in Bhiwandi often delays entry into Mumbai by two to three hours, sometimes stretching to over three-and-a-half hours. "Easing this choke point will significantly improve efficiency for goods carriers," he added.Industrial bodies also demand better link roads connecting the expressway to major industrial hubs. State govt has indicated a positive approach, with plans expected to boost faster movement of goods as well as agricultural produce to Mumbai markets.