Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 6: In a significant infrastructure boost, the Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday approved the construction of a 105-km express freight corridor linking the upcoming Vadhavan Port in Palghar with the Samruddhi Expressway at Bharvir in Nashik district. The new high-speed corridor is expected to reduce travel time from the current 4–5 hours to just 1.5 hours, enhancing the movement of goods between the western coast and the state's interior regions.

The project, aimed at accelerating freight logistics under the Sagarmala initiative, will be implemented by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and is targeted for completion within three years. The estimated cost is Rs 2,528.90 crore, with Rs 1,500 crore being raised through a loan from HUDCO, according to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the CMO said in a release.

The corridor will eliminate the current detour that freight vehicles must take via the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway, which spans 183.48 km, including an unnecessary 82-km stretch. The new route will reduce the travel distance to 104.89 km, saving nearly 78.5 km and significantly cutting down fuel consumption and logistics time.

The proposed corridor will pass through key talukas including Dahanu, Vikramgad, Jawhar, and Mokhada in Palghar, and Trimbakeshwar and Igatpuri in Nashik. Officials highlighted that the link is critical to accommodate the expected surge in cargo traffic from Vadhavan Port, which is poised to become a major international maritime hub.

The Vadhavan Port project, part of the Central Government's Sagarmala programme, is envisioned to transform Maharashtra’s coastline into a logistics powerhouse. With the new express corridor in place, officials believe it will not only ensure seamless freight movement but also bring economic benefits to the region through job creation and infrastructure development.

The government’s push to strengthen multimodal connectivity is expected to further solidify Maharashtra’s position as a key logistics and trade gateway in the country.