[ruzbehxyz]

No amenities on Samruddhi Mahamarg for next 6 months.

— No fuel stations.
— No toilets.
— No food courts.

The MSRDC has planned a total of 20 wayside amenities and 29 fuel stations along the 701km stretch of the expressway. Every 40-50km will be dotted with an amenity zone. Gradually, the number of food court-cum-fuel stations may be increased in future years depending on the increase in vehicular traffic.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumb...or-next6months

[rakesh_r]

Originally Posted by wanderlustindia

So I completed the journey from Nagpur to Navi Mumbai in a total of 11 hours that included an hour of break time (after getting off the expressway).

Any idea as to which Interchange we need to use to visit the Lonar crater?

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by ruzbehxyz

No fuel stations.

There were a few in the video from Rakesh.

No toilets.

For the moment, fuel stations are going to be loo stops.

[ruzbehxyz]

Originally Posted by narayans80

There were a few in the video from Rakesh.

Yes. But they are not operational as of now. They are still being set up with some scheduled to start in January 2023.

Looking at the current scenario, I am wondering how was the government going to open this expressway on 15th August 22, which got delayed to Diwali and now finally December. Still not fully ready.

[wanderlustindia]

Originally Posted by rakesh_r

Any idea as to which Interchange we need to use to visit the Lonar crater?

Sorry Rakesh - I didn’t gather that during the drive. There are 20 exits at this point in time, the final being the one at Shirdi. I reckon we might have some info a webpage about all the exits and the one that’s closest to Lonar! I don’t recollect any signage citing Lonar, though.

[sumalkar]

Originally Posted by rakesh_r

Any idea as to which Interchange we need to use to visit the Lonar crater?

Exit around Mehkar would probably be closest to Lonar.

[Shubhendra]

Originally Posted by wanderlustindia

There were a few strays, dogs, monkeys and humans along the way, thankfully no cattle (I saw a few on Purvanchal expressway recently)!

If I’m brutally honest, the road surface isn’t anything to write home about! All the hullabaloo about the surface rivalling the autobahns is just plain and simple political speak!

+100 on road surface. I am not sure, most of the concrete highways in India are not confidence inspiring. i.e. Mumbai Pune Expressway, Bundelkhand Expressway, Samruddhi and so on. Sudden unevenness sometimes become risky as well.
We saw many roadkills, not sure how are they going to control animals.

Originally Posted by ruzbehxyz

Looking at the current scenario, I am wondering how was the government going to open this expressway on 15th August 22, which got delayed to Diwali and now finally December. Still not fully ready.

It was just a political lollypop to keep people engaged in Smaruddhi and don't talk about other things

Originally Posted by rakesh_r

Any idea as to which Interchange we need to use to visit the Lonar crater?

Mehkar interchange is closest for you.
BTW, if you are just going to Lonar from Pune, its not worth the time and effort.

[rakesh_r]

Originally Posted by Shubhendra

Mehkar interchange is closest for you.
BTW, if you are just going to Lonar from Pune, its not worth the time and effort.

Will be travelling to Nagpur, hence thought of dropping in at Lonar.

[vharihar]

Originally Posted by rakesh_r

Latest video on the Samruddhi highway:
https://Youtu.be/XVHpTHejfZM

Looks like the highway is complete, devoid of eateries.

Fantastic. But why are "median crash barriers" missing?!? That's a disaster waiting to happen. I hope they install median crash barriers at the earliest, for the entire length of the MNE, and also create rumble strips on both ends of each carriageway to reduces chances of drivers dozing off and causing accidents ("highway hypnosis", I believe its officially called, on long straight stretches of highways).

[sahil624]

Originally Posted by wanderlustindia

So I completed the journey from Nagpur to Navi Mumbai in a total of 11 hours that included an hour of break time (after getting off the expressway).

Hi, can you mention exact route you followed to reach the expressway from Navi Mumbai? I am planning for Tadoba or Pench, any idea how much time it will take to reach Tadoba or Pench from Navi Mumbai?
Thanks.

[sanket456]

Update here. Travelled on this route yesterday from Aurangabad to Nagpur. Took the Harsul sawangi interchange to enter the Samruddha highway at Aurangabad. It’s a absolute bliss to drive on this highway. Very good infrastructure by MSRDC. This definitely would be a boon to vidarbha and marathwada region in some way or the other. I could spot only couple of fuel pumps ready to serve fuel on the entire stretch, hence recommend to fuel up before hopping on the eway. 15kms stretch near shelu Bajar is still one way so expect one diversion.

I could cover the whole distance in 4.5 hours. Could do it by travelling within permissible limit of 120kmph.

No tea stalls yet on highway so plan accordingly. Had to do a detour near Wardha, got down from eway and had that utmost precious cup of tea.

Overall, excellent infra which has reduced the travel time from 10 hours to 4.5/5 hours. Totally worth it. While driving, pls keep a watch on monkeys and dogs who will either be crossing the road or ambling around on the highway. This will be one concern to address as time goes by.

Have a pleasant and safe drive.

[wanderlustindia]

Originally Posted by sahil624

Hi, can you mention exact route you followed to reach the expressway from Navi Mumbai? I am planning for Tadoba or Pench, any idea how much time it will take to reach Tadoba or Pench from Navi Mumbai?
Thanks.

Hi Sahil, my journey started in Nagpur and ended in Navi Mumbai. If you’re planing the reverse route, the starting point for you would be the entry point at Shirdi. I’m not certain about Tadoba but for Pench you’ll traverse the entire length of the expressway, get off at Nagpur and join the national highway heading towards Seoni-Jabalpur-Maihar-Mangawan-Varanasi.

[W@SIM]

Guys
can someone mark me the Aurangabad Exit/Entrance on Maps?
thanks

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by W@SIM

can someone mark me the Aurangabad

North east side - Harsul Sawangi
North west side - Lasur interchange

There should be one more at Vaijapur. But the alignment doesn't show.

[ashlil]

Google now shows Samruddhi Mahamarg. But, the time it shows is more than 11 hours from Shirdi to Nagpur.