Prior to building of National Highway 66 (NH 66) then known as National Highway 17 ( NH17 ) in the 1960s and 1970s, ships and steamers running between Mumbai and Mangalore calling at different ports were only means of transport along the west coast of India adjoining the Arabian sea.
Hence this National Highway 66 allows for movement of goods by trucks (lorries) from hinterland to major sea ports of India.