The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is set to develop a 104-km access-controlled expressway connecting the upcoming Vadhvan Port in Palghar district to the Mumbai–Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg at Bharvir near Igatpuri.

According to MSRDC officials, the project is currently in the preliminary phase. “The alignment has been submitted for state government approval. Land acquisition will commence once clearance is received,” said a senior official. Tendering will follow as progress continues on the Vadhvan Port project.

The proposed greenfield expressway will originate at Bharvir Khurd near Igatpuri and link to National Highway 48 at Tawa village near Charoti. The final leg up to Vadhvan Port will be constructed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

The new corridor is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Igatpuri and Vadhvan Port to approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, providing a direct, high-speed route for freight transport from central Maharashtra to the western coast while bypassing Mumbai’s congested traffic routes.

Adding to its strategic potential, the state government is also evaluating the possibility of developing a greenfield airport near the deep-sea port, further enhancing the region’s infrastructure and logistics capabilities.

News source: The Free Press Journal