The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the construction of a six-lane access-controlled greenfield high speed national highway from JNPA port to Chowk in Maharashtra.
According to an official statement, this project, to be built at an investment of Rs 4,500 crore, will be built on a build operate and transfer (BOT) model, and aims to improve port connectivity and facilitate efficient freight movement.
Alignment
The highway will connect JNPA Port (NH 348) to the Mumbai-Pune highway (NH-48), also linking to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and MumbaiGoa national highway (NH-66).
The project incorporates two tunnels through the Sahyadri mountains, designed to bypass the challenging ghat section, ensuring high-speed travel for commercial vehicles, especially large container trucks.
This infrastructure development is expected to stimulate growth and development in the areas surrounding Mumbai and Pune. Improved transportation networks can attract investment, create jobs, and enhance overall prosperity, stated the official release.