Centre approves 2 projects worth ₹10K crore to ease traffic in Mumbai, Thane and Nashik

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, in a post on X, said that the “landmark initiative” would “significantly ease daily travel, enhance regional mobility, and deliver meaningful relief to lakhs of commuters across Mumbai, Thane, and Nashik, reinforcing a faster, more connected, and future-ready Maharashtra”

MUMBAI: The central government has approved the 3rd and 4th rail lines on the Kasara–Manmad corridor, covering 131 km at an investment of ₹10,154 crore, to further accelerate infrastructure development in the state. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, in a post on X, said that the “landmark initiative” would “significantly ease daily travel, enhance regional mobility, and deliver meaningful relief to lakhs of commuters across Mumbai, Thane, and Nashik, reinforcing a faster, more connected, and future-ready Maharashtra”.

Centre approves 2 projects worth ₹10K crore to ease traffic in Mumbai, Thane and Nashik

The duration of the project is five years. After it is completed, there will be no need for banking engines in the Kasara-Igatpuri section, and this will support the introduction of more passenger trains.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday also approved the rehabilitation and upgradation of the Ghoti–Trimbak (Mokhada)–Jawhar–Manor–Palghar section, a 154.635 km stretch of NH-160A in Maharashtra at a total cost of ₹3,320.38 crore.

A government press note said that a region west of Nashik, around Ambad and Satpur, had industrial estates developed by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation, and there was huge traffic in this area. Currently, the note added, this traffic moved through Nashik city via NH-848, adding pressure on urban roads. The upgradation of NH-160A will provide an alternate route from these industrial areas via Triambak, bypassing the city and reducing congestion.

The section of NH-160A extending westward from Trimbak toward Manor and Palghar connects NH-160A to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (NE-4), NH-48 and onward to the western coastal belt, as well as the tribal areas of Palghar district. Though this link at present sees about 4,500 cars daily, once the intermediate-lane carriageway is developed into two lanes with paved shoulders, the route will facilitate smoother movement of both passengers and cargo.

In addition, the stretch from Manor to Palghar passes through urban built-up sections with over 12,000 vehicles on the route daily. Therefore, four lanes have been proposed along the route to make the movement of traffic smoother.

The state press note said that upon completion, the project would also facilitate a smooth and safe traffic flow, substantial reduction in travel time, and a notable decrease in Vehicle Operating Costs. Additionally, the implementation of the project will enhance the basic infrastructure in the tribal region. The project is also estimated to generate significant direct and indirect employment and additional economic activity along the corridor.