A key infrastructure project aimed at strengthening port connectivity in Maharashtra has moved a step closer to execution, with the National Highways Authority of India seeking Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance for the proposed greenfield corridor.
The Pagote Chouk Expressway, spanning 29.3 km, is planned as a six-lane, access-controlled route that will link the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust to major highways including NH48, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, and the Mumbai-Goa Highway. Construction bids for the project are scheduled to open on April 16, 2026.
The expressway is expected to ease congestion on existing road networks while enabling faster and more efficient movement of both cargo and passenger traffic. Its significance is particularly high for freight movement from JNPT, one of India’s busiest ports.
The alignment traverses challenging terrain, requiring extensive engineering interventions. Plans include six major bridges, five minor bridges, four viaducts, and two tunnels measuring 1.9 km and 1.57 km. Once operational, the corridor is expected to significantly cut travel time. Motorists travelling from Pune will be able to exit the Mumbai-Pune Expressway near Khalapur toll plaza and reach the Chirle interchange of Atal Setu in approximately 20 minutes.
The project is part of a larger strategy to upgrade transport infrastructure across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and enhance connectivity to critical logistics hubs.
With regulatory approvals progressing alongside the bidding process, the project is advancing steadily towards the construction phase, signalling a continued push to strengthen regional connectivity and support economic activity.
Source: Swarajya
