The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has sanctioned the construction of a six-lane access-controlled Greenfield High-Speed National Highway in Maharashtra. The project, stretching 29.2 kilometers from JNPA Port in Pagote to Chowk, will be developed on the Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) model with an estimated cost of $543 million (INR 4,500.62 crore).
With increasing container volumes at JNPA Port and the anticipated operationalization of the Navi Mumbai International Airport this year, the need for enhanced connectivity in the region has become paramount. Currently, vehicles from JNPA Port face travel times of two to three hours to reach NH-48 and the Mumbai-Pune Expressway due to urban traffic congestion. The new project aims to address these issues, offering seamless connectivity and boosting logistical efficiency.
The highway alignment links key routes, including the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and the Mumbai-Goa National Highway, enhancing connections with the Golden Quadrilateral (GQ) corridor. Additionally, the construction includes two tunnels passing through the Sahayadri Hills to facilitate high-speed movement for large container trucks.
Expected to significantly improve port connectivity, the project will support safe and efficient freight transport, fostering growth and development in the Mumbai-Pune region.
