New Six-Lane Highway to Link JNPA Port with Mumbai-Pune Expressway
New Delhi, 19th March 2025: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given the green light for the construction of a six-lane, access-controlled Greenfield Highway in Maharashtra. The project, spanning 29.219 kilometers from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) at Pagote to Chowk, will be developed under the Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) model, with an estimated cost of ₹4,500.62 crore.
The initiative aligns with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, focusing on strengthening road networks that connect major and minor ports across India. With increasing container traffic at JNPA and the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, the need for an efficient highway has become critical to ease transportation bottlenecks.
At present, vehicles traveling from JNPA to key routes such as the Golden Quadrilateral (NH-48) and the Mumbai-Pune Expressway face delays of 2-3 hours due to heavy congestion in urban areas like Palaspe Phata, D-Point, Kalamboli Junction, and Panvel, where daily traffic reaches approximately 1.8 lakh Passenger Car Units (PCU). With the Navi Mumbai airport set to become operational in 2025, demand for direct connectivity is expected to rise further.
The newly approved highway will begin at JNPA Port (NH-348) in Pagote village and connect to the Mumbai-Pune Highway (NH-48). It will also integrate with the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and Mumbai-Goa National Highway (NH-66), ensuring seamless movement of freight and passenger traffic.
A notable feature of the project is the construction of two tunnels through the Sahyadri hills, eliminating the need for vehicles to navigate the ghat section. This will facilitate faster and more efficient movement of large container trucks, significantly reducing transit time for commercial transport.
Once operational, the six-lane Greenfield highway will enhance port connectivity, streamline freight transport, and contribute to economic growth in the Mumbai-Pune region. By easing congestion and ensuring smooth logistics, the project is expected to boost trade, industry, and infrastructure development in surrounding areas.
