A transformative connectivity initiative is underway in Eastern Vidarbha. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has launched three expressway projects, totaling Rs 56,275 crore, designed as extensions of the Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg. This collective effort, known as the ‘Eastern Corridor,’ will directly link border districts with Nagpur and further connect to Mumbai.
The Nagpur-Chandrapur Expressway, a 191-kilometer route, is a key component. Starting from Seldoh in Nagpur district, it will reach Navegaon-More in Pombhurna taluka, Chandrapur district, and include a 12-kilometer connector to Chandrapur city. This access-controlled, four-lane expressway is budgeted at Rs 21,702 crore, with the detailed project report (DPR) currently in preparation.
The Nagpur–Gondia Expressway is the second pivotal link, covering 162 kilometers. It encompasses a 144-kilometer main road, a 12-kilometer Tiroda connector, and a 3-kilometer Gondia bypass, with a total cost of Rs 21,670 crore. The expressway will commence at Gavsi Manapur village in Nagpur and extend to Sawari village in Gondia district. The state cabinet recently sanctioned Rs 3,162 crore for the project. It will traverse 117 villages across Nagpur, Bhandara, and Gondia districts and will require about 1,604 hectares of land. The Nagpur–Gondia travel time will be reduced from three hours to 1.15 hours upon completion.
The Bhandara–Gadchiroli Expressway, a 94-kilometer stretch, carries an estimated cost of Rs 12,903 crore and received approval in December 2023. It will begin at the Savarkhanda interchange on the proposed Nagpur-Gondia Expressway, extending to Armori in Gadchiroli district. The project requires 1,013.58 hectares of land, with land acquisition costing Rs 534 crore. Construction is set to commence, with work orders for all three packages already issued.
These expressways are slated for completion within 30 months. They are intended to facilitate easy access from Mumbai or Nagpur to Chandrapur, Gondia, and Gadchiroli, integrating eastern Vidarbha into the state’s development framework. These projects promise to improve travel efficiency, bolster economic prospects, attract investment, and enhance accessibility in this region. The Rs 56,275 crore investment reflects a major commitment to infrastructure development in Vidarbha, aiming to close the east-west developmental gap.