Motorists travelling between Thane and Vadpe on the old Mumbai-Nashik Highway are expected to get relief from persistent congestion as the 23.8-km Thane-Vadpe highway widening project moves towards completion.
The project, being implemented by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), involves expanding the existing four-lane highway into an eight-lane corridor. The upgraded stretch is aimed at improving traffic movement between Thane, Bhiwandi and the Samruddhi Mahamarg while strengthening connectivity with Mumbai and Nashik.
The expanded corridor also includes service roads and multiple underpasses designed to improve access for local traffic and reduce congestion at key junctions.
According to officials, around 75% of the eight-lane construction work had been completed by December 2025, with work on the remaining portions progressing. The project, which began in 2021, has faced several delays, resulting in its completion deadline being revised on multiple occasions.
The Thane-Vadpe stretch is an important transport link because of the substantial movement of commercial vehicles generated by industrial and warehousing activity in the region. It also carries significant traffic heading towards Nashik and the Samruddhi Mahamarg.
The widening project is expected to increase the road’s capacity and improve the movement of vehicles along one of the busiest routes connecting the Mumbai Metropolitan Region with northern Maharashtra.
Once the remaining construction work is completed, commuters are expected to experience smoother traffic flow and shorter travel times. The improved highway could also help reduce bottlenecks caused by the existing four-lane configuration, particularly during peak hours and periods of heavy freight movement.
The Union government had earlier targeted March 2026 for completion of the Thane-Vadpe widening project. However, delays in construction pushed the timeline beyond the original target.
With the remaining works now being expedited, the upgraded corridor is expected to provide a more efficient road connection between Mumbai, Thane, Bhiwandi, Vadpe and the Samruddhi Mahamarg.
The project is also expected to support the region’s growing industrial, logistics and residential development by providing improved road infrastructure and better connectivity to major transport corridors.
Source: Mumbai Live
