The Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday gave its approval for the construction of a 104.8-kilometre high-speed freight corridor connecting the upcoming Vadhavan Port in Palghar district with Bharvir in Nashik district, linking it to the Mumbai–Nagpur Expressway.

The corridor is expected to open up market opportunities for various industries in Palghar, Nashik and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

The Cabinet meeting was chaired by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is overseeing major infrastructure and connectivity initiatives in the state.

The high-speed expressway between Tawa in Palghar and Bharvir in Chandwad, Nashik, to be built at a cost of Rs 2,529 crore, is expected to be completed in three years. It will reduce the distance between the two points from 183.48 km to 104.9 km while the travel time will come down from five hours to around 1.5 hours.

“The improved connectivity will prove beneficial to small, medium and heavy industries, agricultural-educational institutions and IT companies as well as agro industrial centers. It will provide better employment opportunities and a strong market for locals,” said a statement issued by the chief minister’s office.

Earlier, Fadnavis said, “Considering the limited expansion area along the coast of Mumbai, the concept of 'Fourth Mumbai' around the upcoming Vadhavan port will be important. India's largest port and a new airport will be built there. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the airport there, and its further survey is underway. Also, since there are plans to extend the Bullet Train and Coastal Road to Vadhavan Port, this area will become a major urban centre.”