The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is preparing to develop a 104 km access-controlled greenfield expressway to connect the under-construction Vadhvan Port in Palghar district with the Mumbai–Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg at Bharvir, near Igatpuri, according to the Free Press Journal.

Though still in the early planning stages, the project is viewed as strategically and economically significant.

“The alignment has been submitted to the state government for approval. Once we receive the go-ahead, land acquisition will commence,” a senior MSRDC official told FPJ.

The tendering process is expected to begin only after substantial progress is made on the Vadhvan Port construction.

The proposed expressway will start at Bharvir Khurd near Igatpuri, connecting to National Highway 48 at Tawa village near Charoti. From there, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will build a new stretch that leads directly to Vadhvan Port. This will facilitate seamless connectivity between the hinterland and the planned deep-sea terminal.

Authorities expect the corridor to cut travel time for freight transport between Igatpuri and Vadhvan Port to just 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Besides easing Mumbai’s road congestion, the route will enhance cargo flow across central Maharashtra to the west coast.

Adding to the region’s potential, the state government is also reviewing proposals to build a greenfield airport near Vadhvan Port.