New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Narendra Modi, has approved the rehabilitation and upgradation of the Ghoti–Trimbak (Mokhada)–Jawhar–Manor–Palghar stretch of National Highway-160A (NH-160A) in Maharashtra for Rs 3,320.38 crore.

The 154.635-km NH-160A project is expected to strengthen regional connectivity, ease traffic congestion and boost industrial freight movement in the state.

The NH-160A project aims to generate jobs and economic activity

According to an official statement, the highway upgradation is projected to generate nearly 19.98 lakh person-days of direct employment and 24.86 lakh person-days of indirect employment. The corridor development is also expected to stimulate additional economic activity along the route.

The region west of Nashik, particularly Ambad and Satpur, houses a dense cluster of industrial units developed by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC). Heavy freight traffic from these zones currently passes through Nashik city via NH-848, adding pressure on urban roads.

The Centre said the upgradation of NH-160A will provide an alternative route via Trimbak, bypassing Nashik city and reducing congestion.

Improved connectivity to the Samruddhi Expressway and the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway

Traffic from Mumbai and southern regions is expected to use the Samruddhi Expressway through the Igatpuri interchange on NH-848. From there, vehicles will travel up to Ghoti and connect to NH-160A towards Trimbak and Nashik.

From 2028 onwards, projected traffic is expected to exceed 10,000 Passenger Car Units (PCUs) per day, qualifying the corridor for four-laning, the CCEA said.

The western stretch of NH-160A from Trimbak to Manor and Palghar connects to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (NE-4), NH-48 and the western coastal belt, besides linking tribal areas in Palghar district.

Four-laning proposed in high-traffic urban stretches

Currently, traffic on certain stretches stands at around 4,500 PCUs. The development of the existing intermediate-lane carriageway into two lanes with paved shoulders is expected to improve the movement of both freight and passenger vehicles.

The Manor–Palghar section, which passes through urban built-up areas and carries nearly 12,000 PCUs daily, will be upgraded to four lanes to ensure smoother traffic flow.

Aligned with the PM GatiShakti plan

The CCEA said the NH-160A upgradation aligns with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan. The project will connect six PM GatiShakti Economic Nodes, one Social Node and eight Logistics Nodes in Maharashtra.

The Centre said the highway development is expected to enhance supply chain efficiency and positively impact India’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI), while improving connectivity between industrial clusters, expressways and key transport corridors.

IANS