Rs 3,700-Crore Expressway to Link JNPT and Old Pune Highway Underway
Navi Mumbai, 11th January 2025: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced plans to construct a 30km expressway connecting Pagote near Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) to Chauk junction on the old Pune Highway. This ambitious project aims to significantly improve connectivity and reduce travel time between Mumbai, Pune, and Goa.
The proposed expressway, with an estimated cost of ₹3,700 crore, will traverse key routes, including the Uran-Chirner highway (starting as Amra Marg from Navi Mumbai), the Goa highway, and the Pune Expressway. It will feature multiple entry and exit points, facilitating seamless travel along the corridor.
Once completed, the expressway will cut travel time from Mumbai’s MTHL (Atal Setu) to the highway leading to Goa to just 20-30 minutes. At the Sewri end, the expressway will connect to Mumbai’s Coastal Road and the Sea Link near Worli. Future extensions are planned to link this corridor with major highways and infrastructure projects, including:
- Alibaug-Virar Multimodal Corridor
- Murbad-Junnar Highway
- Samruddhi Expressway
- Nashik Highway near Padgha (via Morbe, Karjat, Shelu, Wagani, and Badlapur)
- Vadodara-Mumbai Greenfield Expressway, a part of the Delhi-Mumbai corridor
These extensions will transform the initial 30km stretch into a crucial segment of a larger ring road, running parallel to the Alibaug-Virar Corridor and enabling uninterrupted, access-controlled travel.
The first phase of the 30km expressway is expected to be completed within 30 months, with construction slated to begin in seven months after the issuance of work orders. The corridor will handle over 10,000 vehicles daily, easing congestion in Navi Mumbai, Panvel, and Kalamboli.
Speaking about the project, NHAI Regional Manager Anshumali Shrivastav said, “The six-lane greenfield corridor will require approximately 176 hectares of land and is designed to decongest major traffic bottlenecks. It will streamline freight transport in port and airport zones, reduce travel distances, and improve logistical efficiency for JNPT, Goa, Pune, and Mumbai. This project will not only enhance connectivity but also drive economic growth and industrial development in the region.”
The expressway’s strategic location and integration with ongoing infrastructure projects promise to make it a game-changer for travel and freight movement across Maharashtra, offering a boost to both urban mobility and regional economic activities.
