Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has proposed a 104-kilometre greenfield expressway that will directly connect the upcoming Vadhvan Port in Palghar district to the Mumbai–Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg near Igatpuri. The plan aims to create a seamless, high-speed logistics corridor between central Maharashtra and the western coastline, bypassing the bottlenecks of Mumbai’s existing road networks.
Senior officials from MSRDC confirmed that the project is in its initial alignment stage, pending formal clearance from the state government. Upon approval, land acquisition will begin, followed by the tendering process. The expressway is designed as an access-controlled corridor, improving connectivity and drastically cutting travel time from Igatpuri to the coastal port down to just 75 minutes. The proposed route will begin at Bharvir Khurd near Igatpuri, aligning with the Samruddhi Mahamarg, and extend westward to meet National Highway 48 at Tawa village near Charoti. The final stretch up to Vadhvan Port will be developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), ensuring inter-agency collaboration in one of Maharashtra’s most logistically significant infrastructure pushes in recent years.
The Vadhvan Port Expressway, once operational, is expected to serve as a crucial freight artery, enhancing the state’s maritime connectivity while easing the pressure on Mumbai’s overstretched port and road infrastructure. The corridor is expected to benefit exporters, industrial clusters, and supply chains in Maharashtra’s interior, as it offers a faster and more sustainable route to the coast. Experts tracking the state’s logistics infrastructure have noted that such high-capacity freight corridors are essential to achieving long-term emission reduction targets. By enabling the movement of cargo through faster, fuel-efficient roadways, the new route may contribute to Maharashtra’s broader goals of lowering carbon emissions, especially if integrated with electric or alternative fuel transport solutions in the future.
Adding to the strategic value of the region, state planners are also evaluating a proposal to develop a greenfield airport near the deep-sea port, potentially creating a multi-modal logistics hub that could rival other coastal gateways in the country. While details of the airport remain under review, its integration with both maritime and road transport nodes could elevate Vadhvan’s importance in the national freight ecosystem. The project marks another milestone in the state’s long-term vision to decentralise urban freight away from Mumbai while unlocking the economic potential of its hinterland districts. If executed sustainably and in alignment with inclusive development goals, the Vadhvan corridor could serve as a model for eco-conscious, integrated infrastructure planning in India.
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