The upgraded Mumbai-Goa Highway is nearing completion and is set to transform travel between the two cities. Once fully operational, expected to be from June 2025, the 466-kilometre, four-lane highway will reduce travel time from the current 12–13 hours to just 6 hours. The route will connect Panvel to Sindhudurg, passing through Raigad and Ratnagiri, and will also feature 14 interchanges for smoother traffic flow.
A major change in the highway system is the elimination of traditional toll booths across India, including on the Mumbai-Goa Highway. In place of the toll booths, a new advanced toll collection system will be implemented, and tolls will be auto-deducted, relying on satellite tracking and Automatic Number Plate Recognition.
This highway project, which has faced delays due to disputes over land compensation and legal issues, is expected to be completed by June 2025, according to Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. Once operational, this highway will massively reduce travel time between Mumbai and Goa from 12 hours to just 6 hours.
Speaking at an event, Nitin Gadkari spoke about the Mumbai-Goa highway and assured that the work is progressing extremely smoothly and is on the verge of completion.
"There were numerous difficulties with the Mumbai-Goa highway. But do not worry, we will complete the road 100 percent by this June. There were fights among brothers, court cases, and endless complications in providing compensation for land. But those issues have now been resolved, and the work on the Mumbai-Goa highway has gained momentum," Gadkari said.
"The central government will soon introduce a new toll policy. I will not speak much about it now, but within the next 15 days, a new policy will be announced. Once implemented, there will be no reason for anyone to complain about tolls," Gadkari added.