The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, yesterday has approved the rehabilitation and upgradation of the Ghoti–Trimbak (Mokhada)–Jawhar–Manor–Palghar section of NH-160A in Maharashtra on Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode, with a total length of 154.635 km and a total capital cost of Rs.3,320.38 crore.

The region west of Nashik, particularly around Ambad and Satpur, hosts a dense cluster of industrial units developed by Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation. This generates significant freight traffic. At present, this traffic moves through Nashik city via NH-848, adding pressure on urban roads. Existing major routes are already operating near Level of Service (LOS) – C levels:

NH-848 (6L) from Mumbai: 50,000–60,000 PCU/day (LOS-C: 55,000)

NH-60 (4L) from Pune: 40,000–50,000 PCU/day (LOS-C: 36,000)

Upgradation of NH-160A will provide an alternate route from these industrial areas via Triambak, bypassing the city and reducing congestion. The traffic from Mumbai (west side) and Southern side is expected to use Samrudhi Expressway through the interchange at Igatpuri on NH-848. Thereafter, the traffic would travel on NH-848 upto Ghoti and use NH-160A for travel to Trimbak and Nashik. From 2028 onwards, projected daily traffic exceeds 10,000 PCUs, qualifying the corridor for 4-laning.

The section of NH-160A extending westward from Trimbak toward Manor and Palghar connects NH-160A to Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (NE-4), NH-48 and onward to the western coastal belt, as well as tribal areas of Palghar District. Though this link is at present having 4,500 PCUs traffic, development of existing intermediate-lane carriageway to two-lanes with paved shoulders will facilitate smoother movement of both freight and passenger traffic. Also, the stretch from Manor to Palghar passes through urban built-up sections with traffic of about 12,000 PCUs, upgradation to four-lanes has been proposed for smoother movement in this urban section.

The project has been proposed in line with the PM GatiShakti principles and will connect 6 PM GatiShakti Economic Nodes, 01 Social Nodes and 8 Logistics Nodes in the State of Maharashtra. This will have a positive impact on the Logistic Performance Index (LPI) of the country.

Upon completion, the project will also facilitate smooth and safe traffic flow, substantial reduction in travel time, and a notable decrease in Vehicle Operating Cost (VOC). Additionally, the implementation of the project will enhance the basic infrastructure in the tribal region, contributing to overall economic development. The project is also estimated to generate approximately 19.98 lakh person-days of direct employment and 24.86 lakh person-days of indirect employment, besides inducing additional economic activity along the corridor.

Map of Corridor

 Project Details

Feature

Details

Project Name

Rehabilitation and upgradation of Ghoti – Trimbak (Mokhada) – Jawhar – Manor – Palghar section of NH-160A to 2 Lane /4 Lane with paved shoulder configuration and in the state of Maharashtra on Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Mode.

Corridor

Sinnar to Palghar NH 160A

Length (km)

154.635

Total Civil Cost (Rs Cr.)

2594.49

Land Acquisition Cost (Rs Cr.)

725.89

Total Capital Cost (Rs Cr.)

3320.38

Mode

Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Mode

Major Roads Connected

Expressways: Delhi–Mumbai Expressway (NE-4) and Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg

 

National Highways: NH-848 and NH-48.

 

State Highways – SH-04, SH-73, SH-76, SH-77, SH-78 and SH-30

Economic / Social / Transport Nodes Connected

06 PM Gati Shakti Economic Nodes:

02 SEZs- Tarapur & Boisar, 02 Industrial Parks- Palghar & Mokhada, 02 Industrial Co-Operative Estates- Wada & Tarapur,

 

07 Social Nodes:

1 Tribal district- Palghar, 06 Tourist Places- Trimbakeshwar, Jawhar Rajwada, Vaitarna River, Kevla Beech, Arnala Fort, Tungeshwar Sanctuary),

 

08 logistics nodes:

03 Major Railway Station- Palghar Nashik & Shirdi, 03 Airport- Ozar, Shirdi & Mumbai, 02 Ports- Vadhavan & JNPT

Major Cities / Towns Connected

Trimbak (Mokhada), Jawhar, Manor, Palghar, Mumbai, Nashik

Employment Generation Potential

~19.98 lakh person-days of direct employment

 

~24.86 lakh person-days of indirect employment

Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) in FY-25

Ghoti – Trimbak section:

6,700 PCU/day

 

Trimbak (Mokhada) – Manor section:

4,323 PCU/day

 

Manor – Palghar section:

12,455 PCU/day

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Cabinet approves Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 to Mobilize Venture Capital for India’s Startup Ecosystem
February 14, 2026
Rs. 10,000 crore corpus to support deep tech, tech-driven innovative manufacturing startups, and early-growth stage startups

In a major boost to India’s growing startup ecosystem, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the establishment of the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 (Startup India FoF 2.0) with a total corpus of Rs. 10,000 crore for the purpose of mobilizing venture capital for the startup ecosystem of the country.

The Scheme is designed to accelerate the next phase of India’s startup journey by mobilising long-term domestic capital, strengthening the venture capital ecosystem, and supporting innovation-led entrepreneurship across the country.

Launched under the Startup India initiative, Startup India FoF 2.0 builds on nearly a decade of sustained efforts to make India one of the world’s leading startup nations. Since the launch of Startup India in 2016, India’s startup ecosystem has witnessed an extraordinary transformation growing from fewer than 500 startups to over 2 lakh Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)-recognised startups today, with 2025 marking the highest ever annual startup registrations.

Building on Fund of Funds for Startups 1.0

The Startup India FoF 2.0 follows the strong performance of the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS 1.0), which was launched in 2016 to address funding gaps and catalyse the domestic venture capital market for startups.

Under FFS 1.0, the entire corpus of Rs. 10,000 crore has been committed to 145 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs). Such supported AIFs have invested over Rs. 25,500 crore in more than 1,370 startups across the country in sectors such as agriculture, artificial intelligence, robotics, automotive, clean tech, consumer goods & services, e-commerce, education, fintech, food & beverages, healthcare, manufacturing, space tech, and biotechnology amongst others.

FFS 1.0 played a pivotal role in nurturing first-time founders, crowding in private capital, and helping build a strong foundation for India’s venture capital ecosystem.

Key Features of the Scheme:

While the first phase built the ecosystem, Startup India FoF 2.0 is designed to take Indian innovation to the next level. The new fund will have a targeted, segmented funding approach to support:

  1. Deep tech and tech-driven innovative manufacturing: Prioritizing breakthroughs in high-tech areas that require patient, long-term capital.
  2. Empowering early-growth stage founders: Providing a safety net for new and innovative ideas, reducing early-stage failures caused by lack of funding.
  3. National reach: Encouraging investment beyond major metros so that, the innovation thrives in every corner of the country.
  4. Designed to address high‑risk capital gaps: Directing greater capital to priority areas which are important for self-reliance and boosting economic growth.
  5. Strengthen India’s domestic venture capital base, particularly smaller funds to further boost the domestic investment landscape.

Startup India FoF 2.0 is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping India’s economic trajectory, leading to transformational impact.

Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 is expected to play a critical role in advancing India’s innovation-led growth agenda. By supporting startups that build globally competitive technologies, products, and solutions, the Fund will contribute to strengthening India’s economic resilience, boosting manufacturing capabilities, generating high-quality jobs, and positioning India as a global innovation hub.

Aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, the Fund represents the Government’s continued commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, fostering innovation, and unlocking the full potential of India’s startup ecosystem.