Palghar, Maharashtra: In a significant move aimed at improving road safety and easing traffic congestion, a survey will be conducted to explore the possibility of constructing a tunnel at the challenging Waghoba Pass on the Palghar-Manor stretch of the National Highway 160. This decision was made during a District Road Safety Committee meeting chaired by District Collector Dr. Govind Bodke. The tunnel, if constructed, will provide much-needed relief to motorists traveling between Palghar, Jawhar, Trimbakeshwar, Ghoti, and Sinnar.
Dr. Bodke also stressed the urgent need to complete the ‘white concreting tapping’ of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway by April 30 and directed authorities to address stalled facilities along district highways. The meeting, held at the Collector’s office, saw the participation of Palghar MLA Rajendra Gavit, Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway Authority Project Director Suhas Chitnis, Highway Police Inspector Santosh Khanwilkar, Public Works Department Executive Engineer, Regional Transport Officer Atul Aade, and others.
During the session, MLA Rajendra Gavit reviewed the state of roads in the district and raised concerns about the poor work of contractors responsible for the 'white tapping' of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway.
Waghoba Pass Tunnel: A Solution to Hazardous Driving
The Waghoba Pass, located seven kilometers from Palghar, presents a major challenge for drivers. This section of the road, which runs from Palghar-Manor-Vikramgad-Jawhar-Mokhada to Trimbakeshwar-Ghoti, is notorious for its steep terrain and sharp curves. The road, especially at Waghoba Pass and Gowade Pass, forces drivers to maneuver under stressful conditions, often resulting in accidents due to limited visibility from oncoming traffic. Additionally, the narrow Palghar-Manor road only allows one vehicle to pass at a time, leading to long delays, particularly for drivers attempting to overtake slower vehicles.
In response to these challenges, the Road Safety Committee has approved plans to widen this stretch to a four-lane expressway. Funding for the project has already been secured from the National Highways Authority. Furthermore, a proposal has been put forward to dig tunnels at both Waghoba Pass (4.4 km long) and Gowade Pass (1.5 km long), which will not only ease traffic flow but also provide significant relief to heavy vehicles struggling on these narrow, winding roads. The committee has instructed the National Highways Authority to conduct a survey to evaluate the feasibility of constructing these tunnels.
Other Road Safety Initiatives
In addition to the tunnel project, the Road Safety Committee put forth several other important road safety measures for immediate implementation:
- Increase the height of the underpass bridges at Durves-Savare and Dhamatane in Palghar taluka on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway.
- Complete the unfinished service road construction.
- Expedite the completion and opening of flyovers at Jawhar Phata, Sativali, and Nandgaon near the Manor Mastan checkpoint.
- Address the black spot near Amboli Mendhwan Pass to prevent accidents.
- Close all illegal access points along major roads.
- Implement ALS (Advanced Life Support) ambulances at key locations such as Manor, Charoti, and Khaniwade.
Underpass for Farmers on Mumbai-Baroda Expressway
MLA Gavit also raised concerns regarding agricultural needs on the Mumbai-Baroda Expressway in Dahanu taluka, where an urban settlement is located on one side and agricultural land on the other. Cattle and farm implements cannot cross the highway at this point, causing difficulties for local farmers. Gavit proposed the construction of an underpass to facilitate easier access for farming activities. He was assured that a survey would be conducted, and a proposal would be sent to the central government through the relevant authorities.
The District Road Safety Committee’s efforts are geared towards improving road safety and the overall driving experience for residents and travelers in the Palghar district, with plans for both immediate and long-term infrastructure upgrades.
