Airoli-Katai Naka Freeway’s Second Phase Nears Full Completion, Major Link to Open in 2026

By Lodha

Will reduce travel time from Airoli to Palava to 20 mins

The Airoli-Katai Naka Freeway is now visibly taking shape and edging closer to becoming a reality for commuters in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The project, spearheaded by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), is designed to transform travel between Navi Mumbai, Thane and Kalyan-Dombivli by dramatically cutting journey times and easing chronic traffic congestion. This freeway will significantly decongest heavy traffic, enhancing connectivity and bringing Palava closer to Mumbai.

According to the latest reports, around 80 % of the overall work on the freeway has already been completed with the first two phases progressing rapidly.

The Airoli-Katai Naka Freeway is being constructed in three phases:

• Phase 1: A link between Thane-Belapur Road and NH48 (old NH 4) via a 1.7 km twin tunnel through Parsik Hill.
• Phase 2: An elevated road connecting Airoli Bridge to Thane-Belapur Road.
• Phase 3: A direct connection between NH48 and Katai Naka via an elevated road.

These initial two parts of the project, Phase 1 & 2, which include elevated stretches and the key tunnel sections under Parsik Hill, are in advanced stages. Work is close to finishing, and these sections are expected to be opened for traffic by early 2026.

The Airoli-Katai Naka elevated road map aims to enhance connectivity, benefiting nearby areas like Palava, which will be 20 minutes to Airoli and 25 minutes to Mulund.

Palava: A Key Beneficiary of the Airoli-Katai Naka Freeway

Palava, spread over 5,000 acres, is already home to world-class amenities and residential projects. With the upcoming freeway, the area is set to benefit tremendously from enhanced connectivity, making it even more attractive for homebuyers and investors. The Palava Junction Flyover will provide traffic-free access into Palava, further easing the commuting experience for its residents.

Additionally, Palava offers homes that cater to diverse needs, alongside a host of facilities like world-class educational institutions, a sports complex with an Olympic-sized pool, a 5 lakh sq. ft. Xperia Mall, and much more.

As the Airoli-Katai Naka Tunnel Road nears completion, the region’s real estate market is set for an exciting phase of growth. The benefits of faster commutes, enhanced infrastructure, and better connectivity make this a highly anticipated project for both developers and residents.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Airoli-Katai Naka Freeway?

The Airoli–Katai Naka Freeway is a high-speed road and tunnel corridor connecting Airoli in Navi Mumbai to Katai Naka near Palava. It cuts travel time between Airoli and Palava from about an hour to around 20 minutes, easing congestion and improving east–west connectivity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

2. How long is the tunnel in Airoli-Katai Naka Freeway?

The Airoli–Katai Naka Freeway includes twin tunnels of about 1.6 km each, making it one of the longest road tunnels in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

3. Which areas will benefit the most from the freeway?

The Airoli-Katai Naka Freeway primarily benefits areas in the Kalyan-Dombivli-Palava corridor and eastern Navi Mumbai by drastically cutting travel time to Mumbai, boosting real estate, and easing traffic on routes like Thane-Belapur Road, with major beneficiaries including Palava, Dombivli, Kalyan, Shilphata, and Mumbra, offering them quicker access to Thane, Mulund, and Mumbai.

4. How will the Airoli–Katai Naka Freeway affect daily commuters?

The Airoli–Katai Naka Freeway will significantly benefit daily commuters by drastically cutting travel times between Mumbai/Navi Mumbai and Palava, reducing congestion, lowering fuel costs, and easing stress. It will enhance connectivity and quality of life for residents of Palava.

5. How does the Airoli–Katai Naka freeway impact real estate?

The Airoli–Katai Naka Freeway is likely to drive higher housing demand and property appreciation by making Navi Mumbai–Kalyan connectivity faster and more reliable. Improved access typically attracts developments, leading to more malls, offices, and commercial hubs, and gradually transforms these suburbs into well-connected, premium, and increasingly self-sustained real estate destinations.