Good News: JNPA to Pune Old Highway in 10 Minutes – ₹2,900 Crore Project with Two Tunnels
Good News: JNPA to Pune Old Highway in 10 Minutes - ₹2,900 Crore Project with Two Tunnels
A new dedicated highway is set to be constructed between the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and the old Pune-Mumbai highway to reduce traffic congestion in areas like Belapur, Kharghar, and Panvel. This 29 km long highway, estimated to cost ₹2,900 crore, will be developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Project Overview:
Daily Traffic Issue: Over 5,000 containers and trucks from JNPA head towards Pune daily, with an equal number traveling towards Thane from the north. These vehicles currently pass through the Thane-Belapur Road or the Pune Expressway, causing heavy traffic in Panvel, Belapur, and Kharghar, leading to congestion and inconvenience for residents.
Solution: The new highway will bypass these areas, providing a direct connection from JNPA to the old Pune-Mumbai highway at a location called Chowk.
Highway Details:
Route: The highway will stretch from Pagote (on NH-348 near JNPA) to Chowk on the old Pune-Mumbai highway.
Features:
- 29.219 km long, 60 meters wide, and six-lane.
- Elevated sections, ground-level roads, and two tunnels.
Vehicles traveling from Pune will no longer need to enter Panvel or Belapur to reach JNPA. Similarly, vehicles from the north will bypass the Thane-Belapur Road, reaching JNPA in just 10 minutes via the new highway.
Connectivity:
The highway will have three major interchanges:
- NH-348A at Chirner.
- Goa Highway.
- Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
Additionally, vehicles from the Atal Setu bridge will also connect to this highway near Chirner.
Key Features:
- Tunnels: Two six-lane tunnels (1,900 meters and 1,570 meters long).
- Large Bridges: Six (lengths: 910 m, 220 m, 230 m, 600 m, 440 m, and 160 m).
- Small Bridges: Five.
- Flyovers: Four.
- Road Overbridges: Two.
- Land Acquisition: 175 hectares.
- Construction Timeline: 30 months.
This state-of-the-art project is classified as an “A-grade” highway by NHAI and is expected to significantly reduce travel time and improve traffic conditions in the region.
