A new US$525 m road corridor was approved for Nhava Sheva (JNPA) to tackle crippling truck congestion and enhance local supply chain efficiency.
Landside bottlenecks at Nhava Sheva Port are anticipated to diminish following the central government’s approval of a significant road connectivity project. This scheme aims to streamline cargo clearance from India’s busiest container facility. The decision offers substantial relief to shippers, transporters, and supply chain operators who have been contending with escalating truck delays at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA).
The project involves creating a new 29-kilometre access route that will directly connect the port complex to the nearest state highway interchange. Planned under a build–operate–transfer (BOT) model, this new road is forecast to require an investment of approximately US$525 million.
In an official statement, the government reiterated that strengthening road access to ports is a strategic priority under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan. Officials noted that the increasing volume of container traffic at JNPA, combined with the development of the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, necessitates the urgent upgrade and expansion of local highway links.
Presently, trucks entering and leaving Nhava Sheva can take up to three hours to reach the main highway network due to severe congestion on existing routes. Authorities have warned that these delays will intensify as port volumes continue their upward trend.
The proposed six-lane corridor is intended to smooth freight movement, improve safety, and significantly enhance logistics efficiency between JNPA and the airport. The government stated that the project will also stimulate economic growth across the wider regions of Mumbai and Pune by establishing new corridors for development.
Nhava Sheva currently hosts six container terminals and manages a considerable proportion of India’s containerised trade. In recent weeks, deteriorating truck turnaround times have led to formal complaints from both transport operators and traders.
Traffic pressure is being exacerbated by robust volume growth. Between April 2024 and February 2025, container throughput at JNPA increased by 13.6% year-on-year, reaching 6.6 million TEUs. With the current momentum, total volumes for the financial year 2024–2025 are projected to exceed 7 million TEUs, marking a record high for the port.
Further strain is expected in the near term, as the Phase 2 expansion of PSA Mumbai at Bharat Mumbai Container Terminals (BMCT) is due to add 2.4 million TEUs of capacity starting from January 2026. Once this expansion is operational, cargo flows will increase substantially, making enhanced landside connectivity crucial for maintaining port efficiency.
SOURCE – MARITIME GATEWAY
