
Samruddhi highway, corridor of prosperity: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis
Nashik (Maharashtra) [India], June 5 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said that the Hindu Hridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg will play an essential role in the development of the state. This highway will be a corridor of prosperity for the state.
This highway will be connected to Vadhan Port shortly, and CM Fadnavis added it.
Chief Minister Fadnavis said that land has been acquired for the Samruddhi Highway in record time. Due to this route, 24 districts of the state, including Vidarbha, Marathwada, and North Maharashtra, have been connected to JNPT port; now, this highway will be connected to Vadhan port. Rs 55 thousand 335 crore has been spent on this 701 km long highway.
According to an official release, the 76-kilometre route of the Samruddhi Highway passes through Nashik and Thane districts. The Sahyadri mountain range in this area has made it a very difficult route for the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation to overcome this engineering challenge. The tunnel near Igatpuri is eight kilometres long, the longest in the state, and the widest in the country.
The Forest Department has decided to plant trees on the Palkhi route along the Samruddhi Highway. One thousand farm ponds have been created due to this highway. Along with this, water recharge arrangements have been made every 500 meters.
Solar energy will be generated along this highway, and work on a 35 MW project is underway. GAIL has laid a gas pipeline along the highway. Gas can be delivered to the newly developed Steel City Gadchiroli through this. Religious and tourist places are also connected through this route. Chief Minister Shri said the third bridge over Vashi Creek will help facilitate traffic. Fadnavis.
Technology has been used to make the highway accident-free. One hundred structures have been created to prevent wildlife from moving on this highway. Such a structure has been built for the first time in the country. Due to this, the movement of wild animals is going on without interruption, said the Chief Minister.
Shaktipeeth Highway will be built in the coming days. According to Fadnavis, this highway will help change Marathwada's economic picture.
Deputy Chief Minister Shinde said that the Samruddhi Highway will save time, pollution, and fuel. This highway will boost agriculture, tourism development, and industrialisation. An environment-friendly highway will be a game changer in the state's development. He also expressed his belief that it will boost the development of the Nashik district.
Samruddhi Highway will be beneficial for Marathwada, Western Maharashtra, and the Konkan region; similarly, Shaktipeeth Highway will be useful. Necessary basic facilities will be provided to the passengers on this highway. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also appealed to drivers to follow the speed limit while driving.
Wishing the World Environment Day, Deputy Chief Minister Pawar said that this year, a target of planting 10 crore saplings has been set for environmental conservation. After this highway, other projects in the state will also be accelerated, he said. Deputy Chief Minister Pawar praised the officers, employees, and workers who had worked hard on this project.
On this occasion, officers and employees of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, along with citizens, were present.
Chief Minister Fadnavis held the inauguration of the final phase of Samruddhi Mahamarg and Thane Bay Bridge No. 3 South Channel on Sion Panvel Highway through a videoconferencing system.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse, and Public Works Minister Shivendrasinh Raje Bhosale were present at the occasion. (ANI)
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
From concrete to canopy: How Noida's Biodiversity Park turned a bird paradise
Noida: The whistling call of a rain quail pierces through the urban cacophony of Sector 91. It's an unlikely sound in this concrete jungle, but one that's becoming increasingly familiar with visitors of the Noida Biodiversity Park, which has emerged as the city's newest hub for bird enthusiasts. "I thought I was imagining it. The rain quail is mostly found in the grasslands. Hearing it here in the middle of high-rises was a pleasant surprise," recalls Afshan Hussain, describing her first encounter with the elusive bird during an evening walk in 2020. Over the past few years, the park has transformed from a simple recreational space to a thriving observation point for winged guests from across borders. Apart from the rain quail, Afshan has spotted several uncommon birds, such as the thick-billed flowerpecker and paradise flycatcher. "The grey-bellied cuckoo is not uncommon in this region, but it is very difficult to find it in the city area. This speaks much about how the habitat has changed. People usually go birding in Dhanauri, Surajpur, or Okhla. But some of us have started visiting this Sector 91 park regularly," she says. Developed by Noida Authority for Rs 37 crore and inaugurated in July 2019, this 110-acre park is the result of meticulous ecological planning. Nestled between the high-rises of Sector 137 and the residential lanes of Sector 93, it offers 70 acres of developed area with cycling tracks, walking trails, gazebos, and a water body. The park's unique feature, however, lies in its scientific design. There are four distinct biomes based on Yamuna floodplain's geology — Kohi (hilly terrain), Bangar (alluvial uplands), Khadar (sandy riverine areas), and Dabar (low-lying floodplains). More than 200 native species of trees, including babool, neem, jamun, wild grasses, and medicinal herbs, have replaced the previous eucalyptus monoculture, creating a haven that now hosts at least 150 varieties of bird. For longtime residents like Afshan, who has lived in nearby Parasnath Srishti for over 15 years, the transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. "Before this park, it was mostly quiet. After the native species were introduced, flora and fauna started to flourish. And the birds followed," she says. Despite established sanctuaries like Okhla and Dhanauri wetlands, the Sector 91 park has carved its own niche. Nisha Rai, a Sector 77 resident, discovered it during a cycling expedition in 2021. "Seeing a peacock casually walking near the forest edge was unexpected in Noida," she says, noting the diverse wildlife from eagles to butterflies. The park has also attracted wildlife observers. Ashir Kumar, a professional photographer from Greater Noida, leads nature walks here, including a recent WWF 'City Nature Challenge'. "Even though it's partially curated, dense patches still harbour thriving wildlife here," he says. Community engagement has flourished too. Bidisha Dutta, a publishing professional, has organised nature walks for children. "The park's layout allows for quiet nature pockets away from the main paths — perfect for educational activities. The kids hunt for their favourite colours, build shapes with twigs and leaves, and experience the ecosystems up close," she tells TOI. Bidisha and her husband hosted 20 Bengali families during a picnic last winter. Challenges, however, persist. The central water body is in dire need of maintenance, while excessive manicuring of certain areas has alarmed birders as well. Tapas Misra, a lawyer and birder, observes, "There are two faces to this park — untouched wilderness and landscaped areas. While it's perfect for beginners, it lacks the ecological balance of a sanctuary." Similarly, Eldeco Utopia resident Tripti Upadhyaya, who has spotted Indian paradise flycatchers, orange-headed thrushes, and taiga flycatchers, rues that the waterbody is often filled with muck and needs to be cleaned regularly. "Excessive pruning is an issue as well. Worms come to tall grass, and birds come for the worms. The more manicured a park is, the less welcoming it is for wildlife," she says. Asked about the upkeep, Anand Mohan, director of horticulture at Noida Authority, says, "We carry out regular maintenance work at the park. All washrooms were revamped recently. Yes, the water level at the pond goes low during summers, but we will make some arrangements using motorised pumps." Despite these concerns, the Sector 91 facility continues to evolve, with plans for a deer park in the pipeline.


Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
‘Save Powai Lake' human chain plan off over BMC fee
Mumbai: A silent "Save Powai Lake" human chain scheduled for Sunday by local residents and nature lovers was cancelled after the BMC demanded a nominal "event fee" of Rs 11,000 to organise it at the lakeside. Green activists alleged they tried in vain to explain to civic officials that this was not an event but a public expression of concern to save the lake from pollution and floating weeds such as hyacinths. The human chain was planned for Sunday, June 8, to focus on the need to conserve Powai Lake as part of Mumbai region's biodiversity, said the activists. "For about a week the BMC was making us go round in circles for a simple no-objection certificate for the human chain after we obtained the police nod," said Pamela Cheema, chairperson of the advanced locality management committee (ALMC). Police suggested that the organisers seek the BMC's approval as well. Cheema said, "Despite the police forwarding them our request and we ourselves presenting the BMC's S ward office our request, the officials were searching for the documents till Friday." The BMC insisted on payment of "a nominal fee of Rs 11,000" for using the Powai Lake premises, she said. BMC's sub-engineer from S ward, Veer Alankar, said he sent the circular and the fee payable to Cheema since it is an event. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "We are not holding a concert or any cultural event," Cheema said. Calling the BMC event fee for the human chain as unprecedented, NatConnect director B N Kumar said, "It amounts to scuttling the democratic rights of environmentalists to freedom of speech. The Constitution of India guarantees the right to a clean environment." Kumar further said they will regroup and discuss the future course to save the lake. In the past two weeks, though, following the local citizens' appeal to save the lake, the BMC has started mechanically removing the water hyacinths from the lake's surface. The process is still on at the lake site by using machines to cut and remove the hyacinths. Local resident and photographer Mukesh Trivedi said, "Perhaps the senior civic officials could have waived off the 'event fee' because none of us were going to form the human chain for any commercial gain." "As much as we have passionately worked towards this cause, we are being forced to not go ahead with it due to bureaucratic hurdles," said Milan Bhat, one of the organisers. "It has been a sad day for our environment, but we haven't lost hope. We will come back stronger," she said.


Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Where souls find salvation, Gaya Ji regains its sacred name
1 2 3 4 Patna: Though the Bihar govt has officially renamed Gaya as Gaya Ji, long-time residents have always referred to it by this name, thanks to its deep mythological and religious significance. Considered the only place where performing "pind daan" (rituals for the salvation of ancestors) is believed to grant " moksha " (liberation) to departed souls, the town has long been revered by pilgrims and spiritual seekers. Also known as Gaya Dham, Gaya Ji Dham, Gaya Kshetra and Moksha Dham, the holy city derives its name from the demon Gayasur, son of Tripurasur and Prabhavati. In 2022, the Gaya Municipal Corporation passed a resolution to officially rename the city as Gaya Ji. Acharya Brajendra Kumar Mishra, a scholar of Hindu texts, said the place has been known as Gaya Ji since ancient times and is frequently referenced in various Hindu scriptures. "It became Gaya after the foreign invasions. The only place whose name has traditionally been addressed with the suffix 'ji' is Gaya Ji," he said. Quoting a shloka from the Vayu Purana, Mishra recited, "Gadadharam Vishnu Padam Ashtadash Padandvim, Vande Akshay Vatam Chaayam Phalgum Gaurim Gayeshwarim." He added, "Due to the change in the names of many religious places after foreign invasions, Gaya Ji became just Gaya. The glory of Gaya Ji is described in the Vayu Purana, Bhagwat Maha Purana and other scriptures. It is where Raja Ramchandra came with Mata Sita where Dharmaraj Yudhishthir Ji visited, where Mata Mangala Gauri is seated atop Bhasm Kut mountain, where the inner stream of the river Falgu flows continuously and where the feet of Lord Sarveshwar Shriman Narayan are enshrined. It is the place where the souls of the departed find satisfaction and salvation through shraddh rituals. That is why the scriptures refer to Gaya as Gaya Pranah," he said. Shambhu Nath Vitthal, the chairman of Vishnupad Temple Management Committee (VTMC), Gaya Ji, said the place is known for 'pitra mukti' or "moksha". "It is probably the only place in the world known as the land of both gyan (knowledge) and moksha," he said, pointing to Bodh Gaya, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, just 7km away. Discussing the spiritual importance of Vishnupad Temple, Vitthal said it is referenced in numerous sacred texts including the Shrimad Bhagavad, Ramcharitmanas, Vayu Purana, Agni Purana, Vishnu Purana, Padma Purana, Garuda Purana, Devi Bhagavad and the Upanishads. The temple, he said, was built in 1787 by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar. "Gayasur, a demon, offered his body to Lord Brahma for performing a yajna. When he wished to rise again, Lord Vishnu placed his right foot on him, leaving His footprint at the spot where Vishnupad Temple stands today. When Lord Vishnu asked him for a boon, Gayasur requested that the place become a site of moksha," Vitthal said. "That is why the ancestors of 121 kuls (lineages) under the seven gotras of a person performing pinddaan here attain salvation. These 121 lineages include not only ancestors from the paternal and maternal sides but also animals like cows that served the family," he added. Mahesh Lal Gupt, a former lawyer who returned to his ancestral profession as a panda (priest), said the renaming had been a long-standing demand of locals for over four decades. "We are happy that the state govt has notified it as Gaya Ji. It is the only place in India with the 'ji' suffix in official records now. People call Varanasi 'Kashi Ji' out of reverence, but it is recorded as Kashi in official documents. The same goes for Jagannath Puri in Odisha, known for 'Ann Brahma' and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh," he said. "Gaya Ji is known as Pind Brahma and is mentioned extensively in scriptures. Pandharpur in Maharashtra is known as Nad Brahma. Gaya Ji is also referred to as Panch Kosham, Gaya Kshetram and is considered the most sacred site where all teerths were summoned by yajna. Vayu Purana, Vishnu Purana, Skanda Purana, and Garuda Purana describe the significance of shraddh and pind daan since the Dwapar and Treta Yugas, including references to Ram-Sita's Ramshila and Sita Kund," Gupt said. "Hindus, Sikhs and even Jains from across the globe come to Gaya Ji during the Krishna Paksha of the month of Ashwin to perform pind daan. The fortnight is known as Pitrapaksha," he added. On the recent construction of a rubber dam to retain water year-round for pinddaan rituals, Gupt said the Rs 300-crore project was a matter of technical concern. "There is no water source except the undercurrent of the river Falgu beneath the sand. The aim of the rubber dam is to ensure water availability throughout the year. But silt flows in with the water and accumulates, causing inconvenience to both the public and pilgrims. There is no system in place for silt removal. You cannot fill a river with water from a tubewell," he said.