The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved a Rs 4,500 crore project to construct a 29.219 km, 6-lane access-controlled greenfield high-speed National Highway connecting Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) at Pagote to Chowk in Maharashtra.

The initiative, to be executed under the build, operate, and transfer (BOT) model at a total cost of Rs 4,500.62 crore, aims to enhance port connectivity and streamline logistics in the region.

The decision aligns with the PM Gatishakti National Master Plan’s focus on improving road infrastructure to major and minor ports. With JNPA, India’s busiest container port, handling rising cargo volumes and the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport set to commence operations in 2025, the need for robust highway connectivity has become urgent. Currently, vehicles take 2-3 hours to travel from JNPA to key routes like the Golden Quadrilateral (NH-48) and Mumbai-Pune Expressway, hampered by congestion at urban choke points such as Palaspe Phata, Kalamboli junction, and Panvel.

The new highway will start at JNPA (NH-348) in Pagote village and connect to the Mumbai-Pune Highway (NH-48), while also linking the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and Mumbai-Goa Highway (NH-66).

Designed for efficiency, the corridor includes two tunnels through the Sahayadri hills, bypassing challenging ghat sections to ensure high-speed travel for large container trucks. This infrastructure will reduce travel time, decongest urban areas, and facilitate safer, faster freight movement.

The project promises to bolster logistic efficiency for JNPA and the Navi Mumbai Airport, driving economic growth in the Mumbai-Pune corridor. By improving access to these critical hubs, the highway is expected to unlock new opportunities for development and prosperity in Maharashtra’s developing regions, reinforcing India’s infrastructure-led growth strategy.