Nearly two years after its launch, the Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg still lacks essential facilities like gas stations, garages, restaurants, public restrooms, and first aid clinics. The 701 km long expressway connects Mumbai to Nagpur and currently has 625 kilometres open to traffic.
Due to the absence of these services, vehicles have to leave the access-controlled expressway. This increases the chances of driver fatigue and highway hypnosis. It has reportedly led to a risk of accidents on the route.
To deal with this, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has started working on attracting private companies to set up wayside hubs. The first of these hubs is expected to be completed in about six months.
Initially, the MSRDC planned to build four facilities at two sites in both directions in the Aurangabad and Nashik districts. But the original bidding process was cancelled because of technical difficulties.
The revised plan now calls for 16 hubs, with eight in each direction. These hubs will have designated parking for vehicles, restrooms, eateries, garages for small repairs, and staff rooms. Earlier this month, tenders for the construction of these 16 hubs were released.
After private companies are selected, they will have three months to get the hubs operational. Unlike the previous plan that allotted 10-12 hectares, the plan suggests an area of four hectares to each hub, with one hub occupying three hectares and the rest dedicated to parking.
Additionally, 24 sites have been reserved for gas stations, merged into the hubs. Eight standalone petrol stations will also be built along the route. For the next 60 years, the companies will manage the hubs. In the start, hubs might offer temporary services until permanent facilities are built.
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