The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of a 6-lane access-controlled Greenfield High-Speed National Highway from JNPA Port (Pagote) to Chowk in Maharashtra. The 29.219 km project will be developed on a Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) toll model at an estimated cost of Rs 45 billion. As part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the project aims to enhance road connectivity to major ports, addressing increasing container traffic at JNPA and the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport. Currently, heavy congestion in urban areas like Palaspe Phata, D-Point, Kalamboli Junction, and Panvel results in a travel time of 2-3 hours from JNPA to NH-48 and the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. This is expected to worsen after the Navi Mumbai airport becomes operational in 2025, making direct connectivity crucial. The highway will connect JNPA Port (NH-348) to Mumbai-Pune Highway (NH-48) while also linking the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and Mumbai-Goa National Highway (NH-66). To facilitate smoother freight movement, two tunnels through the Sahyadri hills will replace the existing ghat section, allowing high-speed transit for large container trucks. This strategic infrastructure project is expected to improve logistics efficiency, boost port connectivity, and support economic growth in the Mumbai-Pune region. (PIB)