The central government has approved a Rs 3,320-crore upgrade of the 154-kilometre Ghoti–Trimbak–Jawhar–Manor–Palghar stretch of National Highway 160A in Maharashtra. The project, sanctioned under the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, will transform the corridor into a two-lane highway with paved shoulders, while select urban stretches, particularly between Manor and Palghar, will be expanded to four lanes. The development is expected to divert heavy freight traffic from Nashik city and improve regional connectivity across northern Maharashtra and the western coastal belt.
The project will be executed under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode and aligns with the PM GatiShakti framework, integrating multi-modal transport links, industrial hubs, and tribal regions in Palghar district. Officials indicate that the upgraded NH-160A will provide a strategic alternative route for vehicles originating from Mumbai and southern Maharashtra, allowing them to bypass Nashik and thereby easing congestion on urban arterial roads, including NH-848 and NH-60, which are operating near their Level of Service (LOS) C thresholds. Urban mobility specialists highlight that Nashik’s industrial clusters at Ambad and Satpur currently experience significant freight pressure, with existing highways accommodating over 10,000 Passenger Car Units (PCUs) daily on certain segments. The NH-160A expansion is projected to manage rising traffic demands, with the Manor–Palghar stretch expected to carry over 12,000 PCUs per day. Select four-laning in built-up areas will enhance traffic flow, reduce vehicle operating costs, and improve safety for both freight operators and local commuters.
The western section of NH-160A will link seamlessly with the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway and National Highway 48, creating a corridor that strengthens trade and logistics routes from northern Maharashtra to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and coastal ports. Experts note that the project also promises enhanced accessibility for tribal communities, supporting equitable regional development and inclusion in broader economic networks. Economic projections suggest the project will generate nearly 20 lakh person-days of direct employment and close to 25 lakh person-days of indirect employment during construction. Analysts emphasise that large-scale infrastructure investments such as this have multiplier effects, boosting local economies, logistics efficiency, and the competitiveness of industrial estates across the state.
While the NH-160A upgrade addresses immediate freight congestion, planners stress the need for complementary measures, including enhanced urban traffic management in Nashik, sustainable road maintenance strategies, and integration with public transport systems to ensure long-term mobility resilience. Completion of the corridor is expected to significantly reduce travel times, streamline freight operations, and contribute to a safer, more climate-resilient transport network in Maharashtra.
Maharashtra Cabinet Approves Rs 3320 Crore NH-160A Upgrade
