The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has earned toll revenue of Rs 1,226 crore from 1.7 crore vehicles that have traveled on the Hinduhrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg (HBTMSM) since its inauguration three years ago.

According to a senior MSRDC official, the expressway witnesses an average daily traffic of around 20,000 cars, 1,000 light commercial vehicles (LCVs), 3,100 buses and trucks, 900 three-axle vehicles, and 4,000 four-to-six-axle vehicles. When asked if the current toll collection figures were satisfactory, the official remarked that the revenue would increase once the remaining stretch of the expressway becomes operational.

The 701-km expressway, aimed at significantly reducing travel time while boosting Maharashtra’s socio-economic development, has been opened in phases. The first segment, spanning 625 kilometers from Nagpur to Shirdi, was inaugurated in December 2022. The second section, a 105-km stretch from Shirdi to Bharvir, became operational in May 2023.

The remaining 76 km stretch between Aamne in Bhiwandi and Bharvir is likely to be operational by March, 2025. A critical 4.5-km segment between Amane and the Shangri La Resort on the old Mumbai-Nashik Highway remains under construction as the stretch is part of the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway which is expected to be completed by next month.

Recently, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reviewed the pending work and directed authorities to expedite the completion of the final stretch connecting Mumbai and Nagpur. The CM emphasized the importance of this expressway in enhancing connectivity between the two major cities.

To improve commuter convenience, MSRDC is also developing 10 public utility areas along the expressway, featuring petrol pumps, eateries, and rest stops. Designed for speeds of up to 150 kmph, the expressway incorporates advanced infrastructure, including wildlife underpasses, flyovers, and pedestrian crossings, ensuring both efficiency and safety for travelers.