New Expressway to Link JNPT and Atal Setu with Old Mumbai-Pune Highway, Easing Traffic and Slashing Travel Time; Construction Set to Begin Soon
Mumbai: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has unveiled plans for a ₹3,700 crore expressway project aimed at significantly improving connectivity between Mumbai, Pune, and Goa. The proposed 30km expressway will link Pagote, near the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), to Chauk Junction on the old Pune Highway, reducing travel times and easing congestion.
The expressway will pass through the Uran-Chirner Highway, Goa Highway, and Pune Expressway, offering multiple entry and exit points to facilitate smooth traffic flow. Once completed, the corridor will cut travel time from Mumbai’s MTHL (Atal Setu) to the Goa Highway to just 20-30 minutes.
Key Infrastructure Enhancements
At the Sewri end, the expressway will integrate with Mumbai’s Coastal Road and Sea Link near Worli. The long-term vision includes linking this corridor to major infrastructure projects such as:
- Alibaug-Virar Multimodal Corridor
- Murbad-Junnar Highway
- Samruddhi Expressway
- Nashik Highway near Padgha (via Morbe, Karjat, Shelu, Wagani, and Badlapur)
- Vadodara-Mumbai Greenfield Expressway (part of the Delhi-Mumbai Corridor)
These connections will transform the initial 30km stretch into a vital part of a larger ring road parallel to the Alibaug-Virar Corridor, enabling uninterrupted, access-controlled travel and improved freight movement.
Project Timeline and Impact
Construction work is expected to commence within seven months following the issuance of work orders, with completion projected within 30 months. The expressway is designed to accommodate over 10,000 vehicles daily, including multi-axle container trucks, which will help decongest key areas such as Navi Mumbai, Panvel, and Kalamboli.
NHAI Regional Manager Anshumali Shrivastav highlighted the corridor’s benefits, stating, “The six-lane greenfield corridor will require approximately 176 hectares of land and is designed to ease traffic bottlenecks. It will streamline freight transport in port and airport zones, reduce travel distances, and boost logistical efficiency for JNPT, Goa, Pune, and Mumbai. Beyond connectivity, this project will drive economic growth and industrial development in the region.”
Strategic Importance
The project, with all necessary environmental clearances secured, is poised to be a game-changer for Maharashtra’s infrastructure landscape. Its integration with existing and upcoming expressways will not only enhance urban mobility but also strengthen regional trade and economic activities.
