Cabinet Approves ₹3,320 Crore Mega Road Project Linking Nashik to Palghar
In order to boost Maharashtra’s industrial and tribal infrastructure, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has greenlit a massive ₹3,320.38 crore project for the rehabilitation and upgradation of NH-160A.
The project spans 154.635 km, covering the critical Ghoti – Trimbak – Mokhada – Jawhar – Manor – Palghar section. Designed to streamline freight movement and enhance connectivity between North Maharashtra and the Konkan coast, the upgrade will feature a mix of 2-lane and 4-lane configurations with paved shoulders.
Bypassing Congestion: A Relief for Nashik
Currently, the industrial hubs of Ambad and Satpur near Nashik suffer from heavy freight traffic that is forced through city roads via NH-848. With existing routes like the Mumbai-Nashik highway (NH-848) and Pune-Nashik highway (NH-60) already operating at near-maximum capacity, this new development offers a vital alternative.
Once completed, traffic from the Samruddhi Expressway (via the Igatpuri interchange) and Mumbai can bypass Nashik city entirely. Projections suggest that by 2028, daily traffic on the Ghoti-Trimbak stretch will exceed 10,000 Passenger Car Units (PCUs), necessitating the planned 4-laning.
Strengthening the Tribal & Industrial Belt
The westward extension toward Manor and Palghar is set to link NH-160A with the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (NE-4) and NH-48. This connection is pivotal for the tribal regions of Palghar District, providing them with better access to markets and social services.
Specifically, the urban section between Manor and Palghar, which already sees upwards of 12,000 PCUs daily, will be upgraded to four lanes to ensure smoother transit through built-up areas.
A Boost for PM GatiShakti
Alinged with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, the project integrates:
- 6 Economic Nodes: Including SEZs at Tarapur and Boisar, and Industrial Parks in Palghar and Mokhada.
- 7 Social & Tourist Nodes: Enhancing access to Trimbakeshwar, Jawhar Rajwada, and Arnala Fort.
- 8 Logistics Nodes: Linking major railway stations (Nashik, Shirdi), airports (Ozar, Mumbai), and ports (Vadhavan, JNPT).
Economic Impact and Employment
Beyond asphalt and concrete, the project is a major employment generator. It is estimated to create approximately 19.98 lakh person-days of direct employment and 24.86 lakh person-days of indirect employment.
For commuters and logistics operators, the benefits include a substantial reduction in travel time and a decrease in Vehicle Operating Costs (VOC), ultimately improving India’s ranking on the Global Logistic Performance Index (LPI).
