The Union Cabinet has given the green light to a massive road infrastructure project in Maharashtra that promises to change the way people travel between Nashik and Palghar. In a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the upgradation of the NH-160A section. This project comes with a total budget of over ₹3,320 crore and aims to strengthen connectivity across the region.
Which Route is Getting Upgraded?
The government has selected the 154 km long stretch connecting Ghoti, Trimbak, Jawhar, Manor, and Palghar for this major overhaul. The plan is to widen the existing road to a mix of 2-lane and 4-lane standards depending on the traffic needs. This work will be done under the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode.
According to the official details, the Ghoti–Trimbak section will be expanded to 4 lanes because of high traffic. The stretch between Trimbak and Manor will be developed as a 2-lane road with paved shoulders, ensuring safety for drivers. The Manor–Palghar section, which passes through busy areas, will also be upgraded to 4 lanes to manage the urban rush effectively.
How Will This Benefit the Common Man?
The biggest advantage for daily commuters and travelers is the reduction in travel time. Currently, the journey on this route takes about 2.5 hours, but after the upgrade, it is expected to take just 1.5 hours. The design speed for the new road is set at 100 km/h, making the drive smoother and faster.
This highway serves as a critical link connecting major routes like the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, the Mumbai–Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg, and NH-48. It will also act as a bypass for Nashik, allowing industrial trucks to avoid city traffic congestion. Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that this project will generate significant employment, estimated at nearly 20 lakh person-days of direct work.
