The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of a six-lane, access-controlled Greenfield High-Speed National Highway, according to a government release. The Rs 4,500.62 crore project will connect JNPA Port (Pagote) to Chowk in Maharashtra and will be developed under the Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) mode.

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Enhancing port and airport connectivity

The new highway aims to improve connectivity between key infrastructure hubs, aligning with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. With increasing container traffic at JNPA Port and the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (set to open in 2025), better road infrastructure is crucial.

Currently, vehicles travelling from JNPA Port to NH-48 and the Mumbai-Pune Expressway face severe congestion, taking 2-3 hours due to bottlenecks at Palaspe Phata, D-Point, Kalamboli Junction, and Panvel. Traffic in these areas reaches approximately 1.8 lakh Passenger Car Units (PCU) per day. The new corridor will provide direct and efficient access, reducing travel time and easing congestion.

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Key features of the highway

Strategic Connectivity: The highway will link JNPA Port (NH-348) in Pagote village to NH-48, connecting major routes like NH-66 (Mumbai-Goa) and the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

Tunnel Infrastructure: Two tunnels through the Sahyadri mountain range will allow commercial vehicles, especially large container trucks, to bypass hilly ghat sections, ensuring smoother transit.

Improved Freight Transport: The highway will enhance logistics efficiency, reducing delays and transportation costs.

Once completed, the six-lane corridor will boost economic growth by strengthening trade routes and facilitating seamless goods movement.