Nashik (Maharashtra) [India], June 5 (ANI): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday said that the Hindu Hruday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg (Highway) was a 'game changer' as it will reduce travel time from 18 hours to only eight hours.

While addressing the press conference, Shinde said that the highway would save fuel and time, proving beneficial for the people.

'The last phase was inaugurated by the popular Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. It is a game-changer project in Maharashtra. It was the most difficult and challenging project. It will benefit the people to a large extent. The journey that used to take 18 hours will take 8 hours. It will save fuel, it will save time,' Shinde said.

He said that the final leg of the Samruddhi Highway would benefit farmers, who used to travel to Mumbai from Nagpur with their produce, as they would reach the financial capital within a day instead of multiple days.

'The last phase will benefit Nashik. A farmer from Nagpur who left in the morning with farm produce used to reach Mumbai in three days, but now the farmer who left in the morning will reach Mumbai in the evening,' the Deputy CM said.

'This will give a boost to industries everywhere,' he added.

Shinde said that the Samruddhi Highway was environment-friendly since many facilities have been provided to ensure that wild animals are not disturbed and can move freely.

'Even the most minor things have been kept in mind. Facilities have been provided so that wild animals will not be disturbed anywhere and can move freely. 11 lakh big trees and 22 lakh small trees have been planted, so this Samruddhi Mahamarg is environmentally friendly,' he informed.

He further stated that the highway would boost the agritourism industry. He also said that the already approved 802-kilometre-long Shaktipeeth Highway, which will connect Maharashtra's Nagpur to Goa, will prove beneficial for farmers in the Marathwada region as it would increase connectivity, possibly avoiding farmer suicide.

'Some people were in a hurry for the inauguration, but the work was not completed at that time. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi when I was the Chief Minister. This road will boost the agri-tourism industry,' Shinde said.

'Shaktipeeth Highway will be a game changer for Marathwada farmers. They will not commit suicide. It should be built to benefit the people,' he added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said many initially opposed the Samruddhi highway project. He said that the project cost went up to approximately Rs 61,000 crore from Rs 55,000 crore, and nearly 12 crore cement bags were used in the construction of the highway.

'Many people opposed this project when it was starting. It was worth (approximately) Rs 55,000 crore, but it went up to Rs 61,000 crore. Twelve crore cement bags have been used here. Devendra Fadnavis started it when he was the Chief Minister, and now it is rare that it is inaugurated when he is the Chief Minister,' he said.

'We followed all the rules,' said Pawar while talking about taking a drive with Devendra Fadnavis on the highway.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the final phase of the 701-kilometre Highway from Igatpuri in Nashik to Aamne in Thane in the presence of both deputy chief ministers, including Ajit Pawar.

Fadnavis also inaugurated the 'Thane Creek Bridge No. 3 South Channel' on the Sion-Panvel Mahamarg, which adds a new dimension to the Mumbai-Pune highway. (ANI)