The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given the green light for the rehabilitation and enhancement of the Ghoti–Trimbak (Mokhada)–Jawhar–Manor–Palghar section of NH-160A in Maharashtra. This project spans 154.635 kilometers and is allocated a budget of Rs 3,320.38 crore. It is anticipated to create around 19.98 lakh person-days of direct employment and 24.86 lakh person-days of indirect employment, fostering additional economic activities in the region.
The area to the west of Nashik, particularly around Ambad and Satpur, accommodates a dense cluster of industrial units established by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation, resulting in substantial freight traffic. Currently, this traffic flows through Nashik city via NH-848, exerting pressure on urban roads. The upgradation of NH-160A is set to offer an alternative route from these industrial zones through Triambak, circumventing the city and alleviating congestion.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) highlighted that the enhancement of NH-160A will create a new pathway from the industrial regions to the Samrudhi Expressway through the interchange at Igatpuri on NH-848, benefitting traffic from Mumbai and the southern side. By 2028, the projected daily traffic is expected to surpass 10,000 PCUs, warranting the corridor’s expansion to four lanes.
The NH-160A segment, stretching from Trimbak towards Manor and Palghar, links NH-160A to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (NE-4), NH-48, and further to the western coastal belt and tribal areas of Palghar District. The CCEA emphasized the importance of upgrading the existing intermediate-lane carriageway to two lanes with paved shoulders to enhance the movement of both freight and passenger traffic. Additionally, the proposal includes the conversion of the Manor to Palghar stretch to four lanes to facilitate smoother traffic flow in this urban area.
In alignment with the PM GatiShakti principles, the project aims to connect six PM GatiShakti Economic Nodes, one Social Node, and eight Logistics Nodes in Maharashtra. This initiative is expected to positively impact the Logistic Performance Index (LPI) of the country.
