Mumbai-Goa NH-66 Highway to Cut Travel to 6 Hours by June 2025

23 Apr 2025 CW Team

The long-awaited Mumbai-Goa highway project, formally identified as National Highway 66, is now expected to be completed by June 2025. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, revealed that the upgraded highway would drastically cut travel time between Mumbai and Goa—from the current 10 to 12 hours—to approximately six hours.

Over the years, the project has encountered repeated delays, largely due to issues related to land acquisition, legal hurdles, and lack of coordination among various departments. However, Minister Gadkari reassured the public that these problems had been addressed and that construction work was now advancing rapidly.

He also emphasized during a recent press conference that the highway would significantly improve connectivity across the Konkan region, which, in turn, would boost tourism and stimulate economic development along the route.

In addition to reduced travel times, the government is also set to introduce a new toll policy designed to simplify highway travel. Traditional toll booths will be phased out in favour of a satellite-based toll collection system. This advanced system will track vehicles' movements and automatically deduct toll charges from the vehicle owner's bank account, based on the actual distance travelled. The policy is anticipated to roll out within the next two weeks.

According to the upcoming system, vehicles will no longer be required to stop at toll booths. Instead, satellite tracking and number plate scanning will enable seamless toll deductions, offering a more efficient and faster commuting experience.

News source: English Jagran

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