Here is my experience on driving on the final stretch of Samruddhi Mahamarg from Mumbai (Amane) to Igatpuri on June 06, 2025
BHPian vivek95 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
Keeping this review short, as we all have discussed in great detail about Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg over the last 2.5 years since it opened.
Route Update
1. I started from Navi Mumbai (Ulwe) at 8 a.m and took Nerul–Airoli–Mulund–Thane–Kalyan–Vadape route to exit Mumbai metropolis and it took good 3 hours to exit Mumbai. Heavy bumper to bumper traffic encountered at Nerul, Turbhe, Airoli, Kharegaon, Bhiwandi. Thane–Vadape road widening to 12 lanes is easily 2 years away from completion. The traffic was extreme here and it took 1.5 hours from Majiwada flyover, Thane to the entry point of Samruddhi Mahamarg at Vadape. There are some completed sections of 12 lanes post Bhiwandi but the surface quality of cemented roads is average.
Newly opened Nayara fuel station between Thane and Bhiwandi on diversion/service road was so convenient to enter and exit despite the otherwise horrendous experience due to heavy traffic.
2. There are adequate sign boards leading to the entry point of Samruddhi Mahamarg. One can easily spot them from a distance even at night and in heavy traffic. There is absolutely no need to refer to any maps or ask anyone enroute. Trust me , it is that easy to figure out the signages.
Below is the diversion/service road you will come across at Vadape. Once you cross Sai Dhaba on your left and merge with main road you will notice this first sign board for Samruddhi.
Few metres ahead, there is this overhead sign board which clearly says right turn for “Nagpur” in 200 metres , so obviously ignore the immediate right – its a sort of median gap for U-turn . As you head straight, there are again adequate number of signages directing you to turn right for Samruddhi.
The first 8 lane expressway you will hit is Delhi–Mumbai Expressway.
About 3 kms ahead, there is a left handed curve towards Samruddhi Mahamarg for Nagpur. Again, plenty of signboards exist, that one cannot overshoot any exit point. No need of checking Google map or any other map. Trust me, getting into Samruddhi Mahamarg is a cake walk coming from Mumbai side, authorities have ensured that much smooth sailing.
Samruddhi Mahamarg Driving Experience
3. Samruddhi Mahamarg is fantastic as usual and the final stretch is expectedly super scenic running through the Sahyadris/Western ghats. While the surface of the road is not very smooth, it is excellently built overall considering the challenging terrain. What those awesome tall viaducts and tunnels !! I know we cannot compare with the smoothness of the roads in first world countries to call it as world class. When Mumbai–Pune expressway had newly opened in 2002, the surface was indeed very smooth but 23 years later, new roads in Maharashtra have undulations. Tunnels are wide, well lit and beautifully painted. At the Amane toll, there were washrooms ( did not use them yesterday ).
4. There are five twin tunnels between Mumbai and Igatpuri, in the below order from Mumbai to Igatpuri
Tunnel 1 – Ambarje Tunnel
On the wayback Ambarje tunnel has nice painting of Gateway of India with “Welcome to Mumbai” written over it.
Tunnel 2 – Shirol tunnel ( not labelled on the tunnel but I found the name after some research on internet)
Tunnel 3 – Sarlambe Tunnel
Tunnel 4 – Vashala Tunnel
Tunnel 5 – Igatpuri tunnel. This is the longest in Maharashtra at present at 7.8 kms and 4th longest in India. However, Missing link tunnel of Mumbai–Pune expressway will be longer than this, once functional from this year end.
5. It took me 55 mins onward till Igatpuri exit and 44 mins on the wayback. I am referring to the exit/entry point on old Mumbai–Nasik NH3 at Vadape as the start/end point ( not the Amane toll plaza ).
6. At present there are absolutely no fuel stations or restaurants between Mumbai and Igatpuri.
I have some videos, will share them later.
Hinduhruday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg is truly one of the greatest promises delivered to the people of Maharashtra/India. Heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in making this project come true
Also, thanks to many YouTubers for giving us regular updates on this project, especially Droneman ( @dronemanYT ) who was the first person to start giving updates on his youtube channel in great detail since 2019.
Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
