New Delhi, Feb 14 (NationPress) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sanctioned the rehabilitation and enhancement of the Ghoti–Trimbak (Mokhada)–Jawhar–Manor–Palghar segment of NH-160A in Maharashtra. This section spans a total length of 154.635 kilometers and comes with an investment of Rs 3,320.38 crore.

The initiative is projected to create nearly 19.98 lakh person-days of direct employment and around 24.86 lakh person-days of indirect employment while fostering additional economic activities in the vicinity.

The area to the west of Nashik, particularly near Ambad and Satpur, is home to a significant cluster of industrial establishments developed by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation.

This results in substantial freight traffic that currently traverses through Nashik city via NH-848, thereby exerting pressure on urban roads.

As per the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), the enhancement of NH-160A will offer an alternate route from these industrial zones via Triambak, alleviating congestion in the city.

Traffic from Mumbai’s western and southern regions is anticipated to utilize the Samrudhi Expressway through the interchange at Igatpuri on NH-848.

Subsequently, this traffic will proceed on NH-848 up to Ghoti and transition to NH-160A for the journey to Trimbak and Nashik. Projections indicate that by 2028, daily traffic is expected to surpass 10,000 PCUs, justifying plans for a four-lane expansion, as stated by the CCEA.

The segment of NH-160A, extending westward from Trimbak to Manor and Palghar, connects NH-160A to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (NE-4), NH-48, and further links to the western coastal regions, including tribal areas in Palghar District.

“Currently, this route handles 4,500 PCUs of traffic; upgrading the existing intermediate-lane carriageway to two lanes with paved shoulders will enhance the flow of both freight and passenger vehicles. Moreover, the stretch from Manor to Palghar passes through densely populated urban sections with traffic volumes of approximately 12,000 PCUs, thus proposing an upgrade to four lanes for improved traffic management in this urban area,” noted the CCEA in an official statement.

Additionally, the project aligns with the PM GatiShakti principles and aims to connect 6 PM GatiShakti Economic Nodes, 1 Social Node, and 8 Logistics Nodes in Maharashtra. This will positively influence the country’s Logistic Performance Index (LPI).