Context:
The Union Cabinet, under the aegis of Prime Minister Modi, has cleared this project for construction of six lane access controlled greenfield high speed National Highway that would connect JNPA Port (Pagote) to Chowk over Maharashtra for a total investment worth ₹4,500 crore into a total length of approximately 29.219 km. The execution of this project will be as per Build Operate Transfer mode.
Significance of the Highway Project
- Port Connectivity Improvement
- Adding on to JNPA Port constraints on access and connection with major national highways.
- Logistics Efficiency Improvement
- Travel time will diminish from between 2–3 hours to little as 10 m by avoiding several congested urban points, including Palaspe Phata, Kalamboli junction, and Panvel.
- Allows Preparation for Navi Mumbai International Airport
- Avi Mumbai Airport is likely to start operations around 2025. The highway promises smooth cargo movement and passenger movement.
- Supplement PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan
- Fits the vision of the government in respect to complete integration of infrastructure planning and improvements in logistics under the PM Gati Shakti initiative.
