The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, yesterday has approved the rehabilitation and upgradation of the Ghoti–Trimbak (Mokhada)–Jawhar–Manor–Palghar section of NH-160A in Maharashtra on Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode, with a total length of 154.635 km and a total capital cost of Rs.3,320.38 crore.

The region west of Nashik, particularly around Ambad and Satpur, hosts a dense cluster of industrial units developed by Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation. This generates significant freight traffic. At present, this traffic moves through Nashik city via NH-848, adding pressure on urban roads. Existing major routes are already operating near Level of Service (LOS) – C levels:

NH-848 (6L) from Mumbai: 50,000–60,000 PCU/day (LOS-C: 55,000)

NH-60 (4L) from Pune: 40,000–50,000 PCU/day (LOS-C: 36,000)

Upgradation of NH-160A will provide an alternate route from these industrial areas via Triambak, bypassing the city and reducing congestion. The traffic from Mumbai (west side) and Southern side is expected to use Samrudhi Expressway through the interchange at Igatpuri on NH-848. Thereafter, the traffic would travel on NH-848 upto Ghoti and use NH-160A for travel to Trimbak and Nashik. From 2028 onwards, projected daily traffic exceeds 10,000 PCUs, qualifying the corridor for 4-laning.

The section of NH-160A extending westward from Trimbak toward Manor and Palghar connects NH-160A to Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (NE-4), NH-48 and onward to the western coastal belt, as well as tribal areas of Palghar District. Though this link is at present having 4,500 PCUs traffic, development of existing intermediate-lane carriageway to two-lanes with paved shoulders will facilitate smoother movement of both freight and passenger traffic. Also, the stretch from Manor to Palghar passes through urban built-up sections with traffic of about 12,000 PCUs, upgradation to four-lanes has been proposed for smoother movement in this urban section.

The project has been proposed in line with the PM GatiShakti principles and will connect 6 PM GatiShakti Economic Nodes, 01 Social Nodes and 8 Logistics Nodes in the State of Maharashtra. This will have a positive impact on the Logistic Performance Index (LPI) of the country.

Upon completion, the project will also facilitate smooth and safe traffic flow, substantial reduction in travel time, and a notable decrease in Vehicle Operating Cost (VOC). Additionally, the implementation of the project will enhance the basic infrastructure in the tribal region, contributing to overall economic development. The project is also estimated to generate approximately 19.98 lakh person-days of direct employment and 24.86 lakh person-days of indirect employment, besides inducing additional economic activity along the corridor.

Map of Corridor

Project Details

Feature	Details
Project Name	Rehabilitation and upgradation of Ghoti – Trimbak (Mokhada) – Jawhar – Manor – Palghar section of NH-160A to 2 Lane /4 Lane with paved shoulder configuration and in the state of Maharashtra on Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Mode.
Corridor	Sinnar to Palghar NH 160A
Length (km)	154.635
Total Civil Cost (Rs Cr.)	2594.49
Land Acquisition Cost (Rs Cr.)	725.89
Total Capital Cost (Rs Cr.)	3320.38
Mode	Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Mode
Major Roads Connected	Expressways: Delhi–Mumbai Expressway (NE-4) and Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg National Highways: NH-848 and NH-48. State Highways – SH-04, SH-73, SH-76, SH-77, SH-78 and SH-30
Economic / Social / Transport Nodes Connected	06 PM Gati Shakti Economic Nodes: 02 SEZs- Tarapur & Boisar, 02 Industrial Parks- Palghar & Mokhada, 02 Industrial Co-Operative Estates- Wada & Tarapur, 07 Social Nodes: 1 Tribal district- Palghar, 06 Tourist Places- Trimbakeshwar, Jawhar Rajwada, Vaitarna River, Kevla Beech, Arnala Fort, Tungeshwar Sanctuary), 08 logistics nodes: 03 Major Railway Station- Palghar Nashik & Shirdi, 03 Airport- Ozar, Shirdi & Mumbai, 02 Ports- Vadhavan & JNPT
Major Cities / Towns Connected	Trimbak (Mokhada), Jawhar, Manor, Palghar, Mumbai, Nashik
Employment Generation Potential	~19.98 lakh person-days of direct employment ~24.86 lakh person-days of indirect employment
Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) in FY-25	Ghoti – Trimbak section: 6,700 PCU/day Trimbak (Mokhada) – Manor section: 4,323 PCU/day Manor – Palghar section: 12,455 PCU/day

 

Highway upgradation provides an alternate freight corridor, reducing urban congestion and enhancing regional connectivity and employment. Approval is granted for rehabilitation and upgradation of the Ghoti-Trimbak-Jawhar-Manor-Palghar section of NH-160A in Maharashtra on Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode, covering 154.635 km with a Total Capital Cost of Rs.3320.38 crore. The project provides 2-lane or 4-lane configurations with paved shoulders according to traffic projections to relieve congestion, integrate with expressways and highways, connect multiple economic and logistics nodes under PM GatiShakti, and generate substantial direct and indirect employment.