Malaysia keen to take part in developing Mumbai-Nagpur expressway

The Dollar Business Bureau

Malaysia has shown interest in the development of Mumbai-Nagpur expressway.  This was revealed to the media by the Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday.

A Malaysian delegation visiting the state called on Shinde and had discussions on the details of the 700 km long expressway which will connect the two major cities of Maharashtra.

“India and Malaysia have a long-standing relation. Malaysia has taken part in various development projects in the country and has used its advanced technology to develop roads, flyovers and subways,” Shinde said, while speaking to the media at the Mantralaya after meeting the Malaysian delegation.

The Minister said that the Malaysian government has shown keenness to be part of the road project and the state government has appreciated their cooperation.

“We would also like to work with them not only on this project, but in more such projects,” he added.

The project, an initiative of the BJP-led government in Maharashtra under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, seeks for transforming the economy of Marathwada and Vidarbha, the drought-prone regions through which a major part of the expressway will be built.

The road project, which is officially termed as Nagpur Mumbai Super Communication Expressway (NMSCE), will pass through Nashik, Akola, Aurangabad, Thane, Washim, Wardha, Amravati, Buldhana and Nagpur districts.

The process for land acquisition has already been started for the Rs.46000 crore project by the state government.

Last week, Shinde had attended two events in Thane and Nagpur where farmers have signed sale deeds for land with the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) for the project, also called ‘samruddhi mahamarg’ or prosperity expressway.