Centre approves 3,320 crore to upgrade 154km Ghoti–Trimbak–Palghar highway stretch

Nashik: The Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Saturday cleared a major highway development project, approving the rehabilitation and upgradation of the Ghoti–Trimbak–Palghar stretch of national highway 160A. The 154.63km corridor will be executed on the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) model at a total estimated cost of Rs3,320.38 crore, according to a press statement issued by the CCEA of Central govt. Industry associations welcomed the decision as the highway will connect to Wadhwan port, boosting the industrial sector of Nashik. The region west of Nashik, particularly around Ambad and Satpur, hosts a dense cluster of industrial units developed by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) within Nashik city limits. This generates significant freight traffic and the highway serves as a crucial link between Nashik's western industrial belt — Ambad, Satpur, and adjoining MIDC clusters — and the Mumbai, Palghar, and coastal regions. At present, freight movement largely passes through Nashik city via NH-848, adding major congestion to urban roads. The upgradation of NH-160A will provide an alternative route from industrial areas via Trimbak, bypassing the city and reducing snarls. Traffic from Mumbai (west side) and the southern side is expected to use the Samruddhi Expressway through the interchange at Igatpuri on NH-848. Thereafter, traffic will travel on NH-848 up to Ghoti and use NH-160A till Trimbak and Nashik. From 2028 onwards, projected daily traffic exceeds 10,000 passenger car units (PCUs), qualifying the NH-160A corridor for four-laning. The section of NH-160A extending westward from Trimbak towards Manor and Palghar connects it to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (NE-4), NH-48, and onward to the western coastal belt, as well as tribal areas of Palghar district. Though this link currently has 4,500 PCUs of traffic, development of the existing intermediate-lane carriageway to two lanes with paved shoulders will facilitate smoother movement of both freight and passenger traffic. Further, the stretch from Manor to Palghar passes through urban built-up sections with traffic of about 12,000 PCUs, and upgradation to four lanes was proposed for smoother movement in this urban section. The project was proposed in line with the PM GatiShakti plan, and will connect six PM GatiShakti economic nodes, one social node, and eight logistics nodes in Maharashtra. This aims to have a positive impact on the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) of the country overall. Upon completion, the project will also facilitate smooth and safe traffic flow, a substantial reduction in travel time, and a notable decrease in vehicle operating cost (VOC). Additionally, implementation of the project will enhance basic infrastructure in tribal regions, contributing to overall economic development, according to officials. The project is estimated to generate approximately 19.98 lakh person-days of direct employment and 24.86 lakh person-days of indirect employment, besides inducing additional economic activity along the corridor.