The Hindu Hridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg is set to become solar-powered as the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), in partnership with a private renewable energy firm, begins installing solar panels along the 701-km expressway connecting Nagpur and Mumbai. 

Initial installations have started at Karjalad in Buldhana and the Mehkar Interchange in Washim district. The project aims to generate a total of 204 MW of solar power to illuminate the expressway and contribute to the grid under power purchase agreements. In Phase 1, 5 MW is being generated—three MW from Karjalad and two MW from Mehkar, which began operations this week.

MSRDC aims to diversify its revenue sources beyond toll collection, including leasing space along the corridor and selling solar power at Rs 3.05 per unit under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana (MSKVY). The renewable initiative will also help MSRDC earn carbon credits, supporting future infrastructure loans and expansion to other expressway interchanges.