There are updates coming from the Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg which is also known as the Samruddhi Expressway, it will be utilised as a renewable energy corridor soon.
Maharashtra’s Samruddhi Expressway Transforming Into Renewable Energy-generating Corridor
This is a 701-km corridor which is also one of Maharashtra’s biggest infrastructure projects.
It will now serve as an energy source beyond being only a fast link between Mumbai and Nagpur.
Earlier, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), constructed this expressway in four phases between December 2022 and June 2025.
Now, they have come up with plans to mount hybrid energy systems along the expressway route.
This plan is considering a mix of solar panels and wind turbines on available land along the embankments.
They have created a special-purpose vehicle, Mahasamruddhi Renewable Energy Limited, which has been formed to execute the project, according to MSRDC.
An officer said, “The project is planned to produce 150 to 200 MW of solar power in the initial phase. The power generated will be utilised for meeting the expressway’s own needs, such as lighting, tunnels, and interchanges,” in a media interaction.
This project was announced by authorities during the inauguration of the final stretch of the expressway in June and is now being executed.
Beneficial Use of Otherwise Vacant Lots Along the Expressway
After this implementation, this 701-km corridor will now serve as an energy source beyond being only a fast link between Mumbai and Nagpur.
The orientation of the corridor supports solar generation, as the left side when travelling from Nagpur to Mumbai consistently faces south, the officers explained.
Basically, it maximises the sunlight exposure as it is an important parameter for greater power generation.
Apart from this, they are also planning to use wind turbines on this path.
The officer said, “Natural wind speed as well as the draft generated by speeding cars would be able to generate the conditions required in order to produce power.”
Further adding that the method would enable beneficial use of otherwise vacant lots along the expressway.
Coming to this project, it will be built through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) under a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) scheme.
They will be inviting the private builders to design, install, and run the facilities before finally handing them over to the government.
In this regard, the MSRDC has already initiated the process of hiring a renewable energy consultant.
This appointed agency will be developing a feasibility study while making detailed project reports, and monitor the implementation.
In addition to this, the consultant will be responsible for proposing construction techniques, minimising costs, and advising on technologies to maximise output.
According to the Officers, the plan for renewable energy would make the Samruddhi Corridor a model for the integration of clean energy production with transport infrastructure.
