State-run Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has again floated idea of leveraging the space along side Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway for commercial exploitation. The Corporation is also seeking to map the land available through GIS to get an idea as to what type of development model can be planned at these sites. Primarily, the land adjoining interchanges, they are 25 of them on the 701 km Samruddhi Mahamarg. MSRDC wants a study as to how many of them can be leveraged for either townships, small hotels or any other model that can be viable. The Corporation is trying to get working model for development of these prime sites from urban planners, as to what should be set-up near the interchanges, hotels, theme parks, residential townships, agri processing centres, or something else, that should generate jobs plus make the projects economically viable.

 

The move to tap the surplus land has long been on cards for MSRDC, but somehow the exact model to leverage and get best returns has not been materialised. Since MSRDC is designated as special planning authority (SPA), it is keen to monetise the influence areas near the inter-changes with a twin view, one to get assured revenue and second to rollout much awaited amenities on the long stretch. The interchanges are places roughly every 30 to 40 km to facilitate smooth entry and exit for the connected towns and cities. MSRDC said total area available under SPA is around 1,800 sq kms in 292 Villages at 10 districts that are connected on E-way. Last attempt to monetise the land sites through commercial exploitation could not succeed as the upset price set by MSRDC proved to high for bidders to participate. Hence, the Corporation is relying on field experts to come up with formal proposal which they can later study and accept. This time the Corporation wants the urban planners to study the market dynamics and come-up with plans that should click and ensure investors can get assured returns on their investments.

 

The MSRDC officials are however still holding cards to their chest as questions to them remained unanswered. The spokesman cited difficulties in getting clearance as to data to be shared for delay in sharing information sought as to detail plan on Samruddhi Mahamarg, despite the fact that everything is available in public domain. The Corporation's concept note outlines that Samruddhi E-way ins one of the flagship infrastructure initiatives of Maharashtra Government aimed at strengthening regional connectivity plus ensure balanced economic growth. Further the E-way large goal is to act as catalyst for integrated urban, industrial, logistics, tourism, and agricultural development along the expressway corridor, and for the same, it is seeking to tap experts to come-up with firm proposals to aid the planning.