In an effort to widen the road in the Sawalghat and Kotambi ghat sections of the Nashik-Peth Highway, the state Public Works Department (PWD) submitted a proposal to the regional office of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). The highway experiences significant vehicle traffic between Gujarat and Nashik, with heavy vehicles frequently becoming stuck in the hairpin bends of these ghat sections. There have been reports of trucks skidding off the road while making turns, and some trucks becoming immobilised, leading to prolonged traffic jams.
Sawalghat stretches 2.8 km, and Kotambi Ghat is 1.7 km long. Officials noted that they had obtained approval from the forest department and were awaiting the final approval from MoRTH. Once this is granted, they will proceed with the road widening of the combined 4.5 km. Currently, the road width in these ghat sections ranges from 5.5 meters to 7 metres, but the planned widening will increase it to 10 meters. The officials indicated that construction would commence immediately after receiving the approval, resolving the issue permanently. The 54-km Nashik-Peth Highway had been reopened following its widening in June 2022.
Recent articles include:
- Nashik Highway Widening Faces Six-Month Delay: The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has requested a six-month extension from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for the Mumbai-Nashik highway widening project due to weather conditions and pending forest clearances, pushing beyond the September 2024 deadline. The 120 km project aims to expand the four-lane stretch between Vadape and Majiwada into 12 lanes, which is expected to reduce travel time between Mumbai and Nashik.
- Bhoma Road Widening Issue to Be Raised with Centre: Viriato: South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes announced his intention to address the concerns of Bhoma villagers regarding the road widening project with Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. If the issue remains unresolved, he plans to bring it up in Parliament. The project involves demolishing four houses and eleven kiosks, with locals demanding a revision of the existing plan and the creation of a new one for the national highway.
