Navi Mumbai Traffic Update: Major Diversions on Sion-Panvel Highway For Year as Tunnel Work Begins

The Navi Mumbai Traffic Department has announced traffic limits and diversions for one full year on key stretches of the Sion–Panvel Highway. The decision comes ahead of frequent traffic disruptions expected during the inauguration and construction of CIDCO’s underground tunnel between Kharghar Gurudwara and Juinagar railway station.

Work on the tunnel project began on Thursday, November 20. It is estimated to cost around INR 2,100 crore. The traffic order will remain effective from 00:01 on November 20, 2025, until midnight on November 16, 2026.

Here is the list of diversions that have been announced:

1. The Pune-bound road to Delta Stellar Company in Shiravane MIDC from Sawan Knowledge Park will now operate as a one-way road. 

2. The underpass route from the Shiravane village entrance to MIDC will stay completely closed during the project period.

3. Vehicles coming from internal Nerul routes must now take the Sion–Panvel Highway. 

4. Traffic from Uran Phata will be routed through Punyagiri MIDC. 

5. Depending on where they need to go, vehicles from Shiravane village will use either the LP Bridge service road or the Juinagar Railway Station service road. 

6. Motorists from Nerul and Shiravane can also use the Mumbai-bound lane of the highway.

CIDCO is building a 1.763-kilometre connection road between Kharghar and Turbhe. The agency says the link will cut travel time between Kharghar, Belapur, and Turbhe by nearly thirty minutes. 

The current 40-minute trip between Turbhe and Kharghar will come down to about 10 minutes after completion. This is expected to ease pressure on the Sion–Panvel Highway. 

The construction zone is being created about 100 metres before the Shiravane bridge. It lies in the centre of the Mumbai-bound and Pune-bound lanes. Because of this, officials have decided to control vehicle movement to prevent long queues and to ensure safety.

The diversions are necessary to keep traffic moving smoothly and to maintain public safety. Vehicles providing essential services will not be restricted. This includes police, fire department, ambulance, and other government vehicles.