Samruddhi Expressway Closure on August 27: Igatpuri Tunnel Shut for 1 Hour for Fire Safety Drill, Check Diversion Route
Samruddhi Expressway’s Mumbai-bound Igatpuri Tunnel will remain closed from 12 noon to 1 pm on August 27 for a fire safety drill. Vehicles from Nashik, Igatpuri and Nagpur heading towards Mumbai should use the old Mumbai-Agra Highway through the ghat section. The Nagpur-bound tunnel will remain open during the one-hour safety exercise.
The Mumbai-bound carriageway of the Igatpuri Tunnel on the Hindu Hridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, popularly known as the Samruddhi Expressway, will remain closed for one hour on Thursday, August 27, to facilitate a fire safety drill. The closure will be in effect from 12 noon to 1 pm.
During the temporary closure, vehicles travelling towards Mumbai through the Igatpuri Tunnel will not be permitted to pass, Mid Day reported. Motorists travelling from Nashik, Igatpuri and Nagpur towards Mumbai have been advised to avoid the tunnel and use the old Mumbai-Agra Highway through the ghat section instead. BMC Initiates Demolition Drive at Mumbai's Rustomjee Crown As 128 Luxury Flats Under Scrutiny.
Samruddhi Expressway Closure On August 27
The fire safety drill is being conducted as part of preventive safety measures at the Igatpuri Tunnel. The exercise is intended to test emergency response and fire prevention systems at the major tunnel on the Samruddhi Expressway.
Authorities have advised motorists to plan their journeys accordingly and follow traffic diversion signs and updates in the area. The Nagpur-bound carriageway of the Igatpuri Tunnel will remain open during the drill. Mumbai Autorickshaw Strike: Ola, Uber, Rapido Fares Surge Amid Auto-Taxi Strike Over Marathi Rule.
The temporary restriction is expected to last for approximately one hour, after which Mumbai-bound traffic through the tunnel will resume, subject to the completion of the safety exercise.
Diversion Route For Mumbai-Bound Vehicles
Motorists travelling towards Mumbai during the closure have been advised to take the old Mumbai-Agra Highway through the ghat section. The diversion will allow authorities to conduct the fire safety demonstration without Mumbai-bound vehicles passing through the affected tunnel carriageway. Drivers have been urged to follow directions from traffic authorities and comply with diversion signage while approaching Igatpuri.
Why The Fire Safety Drill Is Being Conducted
The exercise is part of safety preparedness measures at the tunnel and is aimed at assessing emergency response arrangements in the event of a fire or other incident. Such drills help authorities assess the functioning of emergency procedures and identify areas that may require improvement.
Earlier Samruddhi Expressway Traffic Restrictions
The Samruddhi Expressway also witnessed temporary traffic restrictions on August 20 due to gantry installation work in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. According to the traffic advisory, the work was carried out between Km 390+445 and Km 444+845, covering the Bendewadi to Fatiyabad stretch.
Traffic on the Nagpur-bound corridor was stopped at Chainage 404+200 between 12 pm and 1 pm. The traffic closure was expected to remain in place for approximately 45 to 60 minutes, after which vehicles were allowed to proceed once the work was completed.
Traffic on the Mumbai-bound corridor was also temporarily stopped between 3 pm and 4 pm.
The closure affected the following chainages:
- Chainage 403+700 – Mumbai-bound corridor
- Chainage 404+200 – Mumbai-bound corridor
Authorities said traffic would resume after the gantry installation work at the respective locations was completed.
Samruddhi Expressway Closure August 27: What Motorists Need To Know
- Date: Thursday, August 27
- Location: Igatpuri Tunnel, Samruddhi Expressway
- Affected carriageway: Mumbai-bound
- Closure time: 12 noon to 1 pm
- Reason: Fire safety drill
- Alternative route: Old Mumbai-Agra Highway through the ghat section
- Nagpur-bound carriageway: Open during the drill
Motorists heading towards Mumbai are advised to account for the temporary restriction, allow additional travel time and follow official diversion signs and traffic instructions.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 26, 2026 11:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
