In Just 6 hours: Mumbai to Goa New Highway Set to Open by March 2026 will Offer Smoother Rides and a Major Boost to Tourism
In Just 6 hours: Mumbai to Goa New Highway Set to Open by March 2026 will Offer Smoother Rides and a Major Boost to Tourism
The long-delayed Mumbai-Goa highway upgrade enters its final phase, promising to cut travel time in half and transform connectivity along the Konkan coast.
After years of delays and multiple roadblocks, the long-awaited Mumbai-Goa Highway is finally nearing completion. Stretching 466 kilometres from Panvel to Sindhudurg, the project is now in its final phase and expected to be fully operational by March 2026. Once open, the four-lane expressway will reduce travel time between Mumbai and Goa from the current 12–13 hours to just six, offering smoother rides and a major boost to tourism and trade across the scenic Konkan belt.
Passing through Raigad and Ratnagiri districts, the upgraded highway—also known as NH 66 or the Konkan Expressway—is expected to transform connectivity between Maharashtra’s financial capital and the coastal state. The new road will feature a smart toll system powered by satellite tracking and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, allowing automatic toll deductions without vehicles stopping at booths. Officials say this will reduce congestion, save time and fuel, and bring greater transparency to toll operations.
The project, initially slated for completion in December 2023, was delayed due to land acquisition hurdles and environmental clearances, particularly around the Panvel–Indapur stretch. These issues have now been resolved, including the decision to drop plans for a flyover in the Karnala sanctuary to protect its ecosystem.
According to the Public Works Department, progress across the 10 construction packages is well advanced. In Sindhudurg district, work on two packages (P-9 and P-10) is nearly 99% complete. In Ratnagiri, two others (P-4 and P-8) are 92% and 98% complete, respectively, while delayed sections (P-6, P-7) are back on track under new contractors. In Raigad, packages P-2 and P-3 have achieved 93% and 82% completion, and work on P-1 is more than halfway done.
Once operational, the expressway will open up new possibilities for local communities, hospitality businesses, and logistics-dependent industries. The improved route will also provide quicker, safer access to the Konkan’s hidden beaches, heritage forts, and coastal towns, reviving the region’s economy through tourism and trade.
With its completion, travellers can expect a six-hour scenic drive from Mumbai to Goa—ushering in a new era of effortless connectivity along India’s most beloved coastal stretch.
