On June 17, 2025, the Maharashtra Cabinet approved a very important road project for the state. This project is called the Virar–Alibaug Multimodal Corridor. It is a long road that will connect many important places in Mumbai and nearby areas. The total cost for Phase 1 of this project is ₹37,013 crore. This first phase will build 96.4 kilometers of road. It will go from Navghar in the Palghar district to Balavali in the Raigad district. This decision was taken to improve transport and reduce traffic in Mumbai. The project is expected to help both people and industries.
The government plans to build this road in two phases. Phase 1 will be 96.4 kilometers long and will start at Navghar. It will end at Balavali, near Alibaug. This stretch will pass through important places such as Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Panvel, and Uran. It will connect with many other big roads, such as the Mumbai–Pune Expressway and the Mumbai–Vadodara Expressway. The road will also connect with the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, which is another big road project. These connections will make travel easier and faster between different parts of Mumbai and nearby areas like Navi Mumbai and Raigad.
The project will also connect with two very important transport hubs. These are the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and the Navi Mumbai International Airport, which is under construction. JNPT is the biggest container port in India. A smooth road to this port will help goods move faster. The Navi Mumbai Airport will also benefit from this new road. People will be able to reach the airport more quickly. This means the road will help both passengers and cargo. It will save time and reduce traffic on smaller roads, which are already very crowded in Mumbai.
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will build this road. Earlier, the government planned to use the EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) model. Later, it was changed to the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). But now, because of high costs and less government money, the project will be done using the BOT (Build–Operate–Transfer) model. In this model, private companies will build the road and then operate it for some years to recover their cost. After that, they will give the road back to the government. This method helps reduce the financial burden on the state government.
The cost of land for the project is very high. Out of the ₹37,013 crore, around ₹22,250 crore will be spent on land acquisition. This means the government will use this money to buy land from farmers, landowners, and others to build the road. Another ₹14,763 crore will be used to pay interest and other project costs. The land acquisition will begin immediately. MSRDC has already started working on surveys and marking land boundaries. The process of buying land will be done fairly. People whose land is taken will be given proper compensation based on rules.
This road is not just for cars and trucks. It will be a multimodal corridor. That means it will include facilities for different types of transport. There will be space for cars, trucks, public buses, and even goods trains. The design speed of the road is 120 kilometers per hour. It will have 8 to 14 lanes, depending on the location. Some places will have more lanes where traffic is heavy. There will also be service roads and separate lanes for slow vehicles. This smart design will help avoid traffic jams and improve safety for all kinds of vehicles.
The road will also have modern features like interchanges, bridges, flyovers, underpasses, and toll booths. These features will make the journey faster and smoother. It will be a smart expressway with sensor systems to track traffic and manage congestion. There will be CCTV cameras and emergency help centers along the route. If any accident happens, help can reach quickly. The government wants to make sure this road is not just wide and fast but also safe. Clean toilets, rest areas, and food courts will also be built for travelers. These services will make long trips more comfortable.
This project was first planned in the year 2011. It was part of a larger plan to improve Mumbai’s transport system. But for many years, the work did not move forward. Some tenders were given in 2023 by the earlier state government. But the project cost became too high. Companies quoted ₹26,000 crore, which was 36 percent higher than the original budget. So, those tenders were canceled. Now, with the new BOT model, new tenders will be released. The government hopes more companies will show interest because they can recover their cost by collecting tolls for several years.
The full corridor will be 126 kilometers long when both phases are completed. Phase 2 will extend the road from Balavali to Alibaug. This part will begin later, after Phase 1 is fully completed. The road is expected to be ready by 2030. Once the full road is open, it will provide a direct and fast connection from Virar in the north to Alibaug in the south. It will reduce travel time by several hours. People who live in suburbs and towns will be able to reach Mumbai faster. It will also reduce the number of vehicles inside the city.
Many areas along the road will see big changes. Towns like Vasai, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Ambernath, Panvel, Uran, Pen, and Alibaug will become more connected. New jobs, shops, and industries may come up in these areas. Better roads lead to better business. Farmers and traders will be able to send their goods to markets quickly. Property prices may also rise. This kind of growth is called balanced regional development. It helps cities grow in all directions instead of just in one area. People living in crowded Mumbai may also move to nearby towns if transport becomes easier.
The road will also reduce the burden on Mumbai’s central roads. Today, many trucks and buses pass through Mumbai city, causing traffic jams and pollution. After the new corridor is ready, these vehicles can bypass the city and reach their destinations faster. This will improve air quality and reduce fuel use. The government wants to make Mumbai a more livable city. Clean, fast, and safe transport is an important part of that plan. The Virar–Alibaug corridor is one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Maharashtra’s history. It shows the government’s strong push for better connectivity and development.
Public transport will also get a big boost. Once the corridor is ready, more state buses can run between towns. People will not need to use local trains or slow buses inside Mumbai. Instead, they can take faster buses that use the corridor. It will also help in emergency situations. Ambulances and fire trucks will be able to reach places quickly. During floods or heavy rain, the corridor can be used as a safe road. It will be built above flood-prone areas and will have strong drainage systems. This makes it useful during bad weather too.
Local people have mixed feelings about the project. Some are happy because it will bring jobs and better roads. Others are worried about losing their land. Farmers want fair compensation. The government has said that it will follow all rules and make sure no one is treated unfairly. The MSRDC has held several meetings with villagers and landowners. Officials have promised to give money, jobs, or land in return. Many people are hopeful, but they also want the promises to be kept. Trust between the government and citizens is very important in such large-scale projects.
Environmental experts are also watching the project closely. Building a big road means cutting trees and changing the land. This can affect birds, animals, and rivers. The government has promised to take care of the environment. Trees that are cut will be replanted in other places. There will be noise barriers and green zones along the road. Special care will be taken in forest areas and near water bodies. The road will also use solar lights and rainwater harvesting. These steps will reduce harm to nature. The environment department will check all work before it begins.
After the approval of Phase 1, the MSRDC will soon invite new tenders. Private companies will be allowed to bid for the work. The best bidder will be selected based on their experience, price, and technical plans. Once selected, the company will start building the road in stages. The first part may be ready in two to three years. By 2030, the entire corridor is expected to be completed. During construction, traffic rules will be followed strictly. Safety signs and traffic officers will be placed to avoid accidents. The public will be updated regularly through websites and local news.
This project is a big part of Maharashtra’s future. Roads like the Virar–Alibaug corridor are not just about transport. They are about progress, jobs, safety, and better living. When people can travel faster, they save time and energy. When goods can move easily, businesses grow. When traffic is reduced, the air becomes cleaner. These small changes lead to a better life for everyone. The government, private companies, and citizens all have a role to play. Together, they can make this project a success. The journey from Virar to Alibaug will become faster, smoother, and much more comfortable in the years to come.