A key road project aimed at improving access to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport is taking shape along the Panvel Creek, positioning itself as a major boost to intra-city connectivity and
future urban growth. According to The Indian Express, the Kharghar Coastal Road (KCR) is being developed to support the anticipated rise in commercial activity and vehicular movement in Navi Mumbai.
According to the report, the Kharghar Coastal Road will stretch 9.678 km and is estimated to cost Rs 1,020.70 crore. The road will run along the Panvel Creek, connecting Kharghar to CBD Belapur and further to Nerul.
The project is reportedly being executed in two phases: one linking Kharghar to CBD Belapur, and the other extending from CBD Belapur to the Nerul Water Transport Jetty. The alignment begins at Jalmarg in Sector 16, Kharghar, moves past the PAY Housing Scheme near Kharghar railway station, continues to Sector 15 in CBD Belapur, and terminates near DPS Nerul.
To minimise environmental impact, particularly on mangroves and the creek ecosystem, certain portions of the alignment have been adjusted further inland.
The KCR is reported to significantly enhance connectivity within Navi Mumbai and to the Navi Mumbai International Airport. The road will integrate with major routes such as the Sion-Panvel Expressway, improving access to Mumbai’s eastern suburbs.
Along its corridor, the project will link several residential developments and upcoming commercial hubs, including the International Corporate Park planned in Kharghar. At the Nerul end, it will connect to Palm Beach Road, further strengthening the city’s road network.
Additionally, the road is expected to reduce travel time between Kharghar, CBD Belapur, and Nerul, easing daily commutes, said the Indian Express report.
The project is being undertaken by contractor J Kumar, with a targeted completion deadline of 2028. The City and Industrial Development Corporation initiated the process of relocating electrical utilities obstructing the project in March, marking progress on ground execution.
