September 3, 2025: In a significant infrastructure boost, the Maharashtra Cabinet has approved the long-awaited Virar–Alibaug Multimodal Corridor, a 126.3-kilometre project set to link major economic and transport hubs including the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, and the Mumbai Trans Harbour Sea Link.
A senior official from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) stated that the land acquisition process will now be fast-tracked, with all tendering procedures expected to conclude within the coming months. Groundwork for the corridor is slated to commence in early 2026.
The corridor, which will be executed on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, will pass through Vasai, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Ambernath, Panvel, Uran, Pen and Alibaug. It will integrate with key national highways and expressways, including the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Highway (NH-48), Mumbai–Agra Highway (NH-848), Kalyan–Murbad Highway (NH-61), Mumbai–Pune Expressway, Mumbai–Bengaluru Highway (NH-48), and Mumbai–Goa Highway (NH-66).
Earlier in June 2025, the Cabinet had cancelled the previous Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC)-based tender, citing higher-than-estimated bids. The BOT model was approved to ensure cost efficiency and expedite execution. In the first phase, the MSRDC will construct 96.41 km of the corridor from Navghar in Palghar district to Balavali in Pen taluka, Raigad district.
To accelerate the project, the state has sanctioned immediate land acquisition at a cost of Rs 22,250 crore. The overall administrative approval for the project totals Rs 37,013 crore, including projected interest of Rs 14,763 crore.
Officials expect the corridor to significantly improve connectivity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, facilitating smoother transport of goods and passengers while supporting the region’s economic growth.
Source: The Free Press Journal
