By Arosh John – Founder, John Real Estate (MahaRERA Reg. No. A51700001835) & Editor-in-Chief, Thane Real Estate News (TREN)
Thane–MMR | December 2025
Introduction
The Old Mumbai–Nashik Highway between Vadpe and Thane (Majiwada) is one of Maharashtra’s most important arterial corridors. It carries daily traffic from Nashik, Malegaon, Dhule, North Maharashtra and parts of Central India into the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), making it a high-pressure logistics and passenger movement spine.
This stretch — widely referred to as the Vadpe–Thane / Bhiwandi Bypass corridor — is undergoing a complete 8-lane expansion to significantly improve connectivity, safety and freight capacity. Strategically, this corridor is also the primary surface-road connector for the Nagpur–Mumbai Samruddhi Mahamarg, whose final 76-km Igatpuri–Amane section has already been inaugurated and is operational.
As of December 2025, the Vadpe–Thane expansion is still under construction. Earlier completion timelines — September 2024, February 2025 and December 2025 — have been revised. The latest formal update from the Chief Minister’s November 2025 infrastructure review now sets a March 2026 completion target for the entire 23.8-km corridor.
What Exactly Is Being Widened?
Two parallel descriptions of the project exist — both valid within their respective scopes.
1. NHAI Contract Section (Core Highway Stretch)
- Project: 8-laning of the Vadape–Thane section of NH-3 (renumbered NH-848)
- Length: approximately 20.7 km
- Authority: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
- Execution Model: Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM)
This is the scope officially documented in the NHAI Data Lake and the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP).
2. State / Urban Corridor Description (Extended 23.8-km Stretch)
The State’s infrastructure review considers the broader Vadpe–Majiwada urban corridor:
- Total stretch: approximately 23.8 km
- Features:
- 8-lane main carriageway (4+4)
- Two-lane service roads
- Around 10 upgraded underpasses and junctions
In simple terms:
NHAI’s contract covers the 20.7 km national highway, while the State reviews the entire 23.8 km urban artery linking Vadpe to Thane city.
Agencies and Contract Structure
- Project Authority:
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) - Concessionaire:
MSRDC Infrastructure Projects Ltd (MIPL) — a subsidiary of MSRDC, appointed via harmonious substitution after the termination of the original concessionaire (MEP Longjian VTR Pvt. Ltd). - Construction Contractor:
A MEP-linked joint venture, responsible for on-ground civil execution. - Independent Engineer (IE):
A JV of Lion Engineering Consultants Pvt. Ltd and Technogem Consultants Pvt. Ltd, overseeing quality and progress.
This structure aligns with official filings and infrastructure documentation.
How the Deadlines Shifted
1. September 2024 — Original NHAI Deadline
Documented as the planned completion date in the National Infrastructure Pipeline.
2. February 2025 — MSRDC’s Public Projection
Following the concessionaire shift in 2024, MSRDC publicly indicated an early-2025 completion target based on progress at the time.
This was not an official NHAI deadline revision.
3. December 2025 — NHAI’s Interim Target
Mid-2025 updates related to Samruddhi Mahamarg connectivity stated:
- ~80% of the main work completed
- ~90% of service roads completed
- No toll collection underway
- Expected completion by December 2025
4. March 2026 — Latest and Official Target (CM Review)
During the November 2025 CM-led infrastructure review, the following was recorded:
- Total corridor length: 23.8 km
- 19 km completed
- Remaining work scheduled for completion by March 2026
This stands as the current and most authoritative deadline.
Status as of December 2025
1. Physical Progress
- Approximately 19 km of the 23.8-km corridor is completed
- Remaining work includes junction integration, service-road completion and structural finishing
2. On-Ground Reality
Commuters currently experience:
- Fully widened smooth segments
- Active construction zones
- Temporary bottlenecks at complex points
- Diversions near major junctions
3. Samruddhi Mahamarg Connectivity
- The Igatpuri–Amane 76-km stretch is inaugurated and operational
- Full benefit for Thane commuters will materialise only after the Vadpe–Thane corridor is completed
4. No Completion Certificate Yet
There is no official notification declaring full commissioning or completion.
Why the Project Is Delayed
- Heavy traffic volumes, limiting construction windows
- Technically sensitive structures, including creek bridge interfaces requiring phased approvals
- Institutional restructuring, with MSRDC’s subsidiary taking over as concessionaire
- Urban constraints, particularly in the Bhiwandi–Thane belt
These reasons are documented contributors to the timeline extension.
Connectivity & Travel Impact
Short-Term (Till March 2026)
- Inconsistent travel times
- Alternating narrow and widened road sections
- Ongoing diversions
- Slower movement for heavy vehicles
Medium-Term (After Completion)
Once commissioned:
- The corridor will function as a continuous 8-lane expressway-like link
- Thane–Nashik and Thane–Nagpur connectivity will be significantly more predictable
- Samruddhi Mahamarg access will improve for MMR traffic
- Freight movement into Bhiwandi, Kalyan and Padgha will become more efficient
Impact on Real Estate & Warehousing
Warehousing & Industrial Demand
The upgraded corridor strengthens:
- The Bhiwandi–Padgha logistics belt
- NH-848 and NH-160 Grade-A warehousing clusters
- Demand from e-commerce, 3PL and FMCG operators
Also Read: Thane–Nashik Highway Expansion: A Gamechanger for Bhiwandi’s Warehousing Sector
Residential Spillover
Likely to benefit in the medium term:
- Mankoli
- Kalher
- Kalyan–Bhiwandi Road
- Padgha / Asangaon
Projects with direct, grade-separated highway access will enjoy long-term value appreciation.
Key Takeaways
- Status: Under construction
- Progress: 19 km of 23.8 km completed
- Latest deadline: March 2026
- Fact-check: The project is not fully complete as of today
- Advisory: Expect phased improvements through early–mid 2026
About the Author
Arosh John is the Founder of John Real Estate (MahaRERA Reg. No. A51700001835) and Editor-in-Chief of Thane Real Estate News (TREN). With over a decade of on-ground experience in Thane’s residential, luxury villa, resale and NRI advisory segments, he is widely recognised as one of the established experts on Thane’s infrastructure-led real estate growth.
Through TREN, he delivers fact-driven, regulation-aligned insights that connect urban planning, policy decisions and market behaviour — helping homebuyers, investors and industry professionals make informed decisions. His work is noted for combining local market intelligence, data-backed analysis and on-ground experience, making him a trusted voice in Thane real estate.
Disclaimer
This article is compiled using information available from NHAI, the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), MSRDC, government notifications and credible public-domain sources as of December 2025. Infrastructure projects are dynamic and subject to change due to administrative decisions, technical requirements, environmental clearances, land factors and execution challenges.
While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, no liability is accepted for any loss, action or decision taken based on this content. Readers are strongly advised to verify critical details independently with the relevant authorities and to treat this article as informational, not legal or financial advice.
