In a landmark move, the Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg (Nagpur–Mumbai Expressway) has become the first highway in India to generate solar power. The 701-km corridor, built and operated by MSRDC, is now doubling as a renewable energy infrastructure. 

In the initial phase, solar panels have been commissioned at two interchanges: Karanja Lad (3 MW) and Mehkar (2 MW), bringing an early output of 5 MW. These plants feed power into the grid under a 2022 power purchase agreement with MSEDCL, at a tariff of ₹3.05 per unit under the Solar Agriculture Feeder Scheme.

The broader vision is ambitious: a total of 204 MW of solar capacity is planned along various interchanges on the expressway. Beyond adding revenue to MSRDC beyond toll collection, the solar initiative is expected to help the body earn carbon credits, strengthen its finances, and set a precedent for green infrastructure.

Of course, rollout and maintenance will be key. As more segments come online, integrating solar infrastructure with road safety, accessibility, and grid reliability will test execution capabilities. Still, Samruddhi’s solar debut marks a turning point: highways are no longer just transport corridors, but potential clean energy producers too.