Government Aims To Make Mumbai-Goa Highway Pothole-Free Before Ganesh Festival
Public Works Minister Shivendrasingh Bhosale reviews road works, orders speedy completion with modern technology
Raigad | August 7: With the festive rush to Konkan approaching, the Maharashtra government has promised to ease the annual ordeal of pothole-ridden roads for lakhs of devotees and families traveling home for Ganesh Chaturthi. Public Works Minister Shivendrasingh Bhosale declared that the Mumbai-Goa National Highway will be made pothole-free before the festival, during an inspection tour of ongoing projects.
The minister, accompanied by MLAs Prashant Thakur, Mahesh Baldi, Ravindra Patil, Collector Kishan Jawale, Raigad SP Aachal Dalal, and senior engineers from the PWD and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), inspected stretches from Panvel’s Palaspe to the Kashidi tunnel. He stressed that the work must be completed with quality and urgency, ensuring smooth travel for passengers.
Orders For Quick, Durable Roadwork
During a review meeting at the Mahad Rest House, Minister Bhosale instructed officials to ensure that highway construction does not worsen traffic congestion and that long-term solutions to potholes are implemented using modern road repair technology. He added that tenders for Indapur and Mangaon bypass bridges have been finalized and new contractors appointed, though the full completion of these projects may take a year.
The government, he said, is pressing for quicker interim solutions to make the route usable for this year’s Ganesh festival. “Ganeshotsav is close to the heart of Konkan citizens, and their journey should not be marred by poor roads,” he said.
Safety, Alternatives And Facilities For Travelers
The minister directed that alternative routes like Khopoli-Pali be maintained in good condition, and that additional police and Home Guard deployment be arranged at Indapur and Mangaon. For those traveling to Murud and Alibag, the Vadkhal-Alibag road is being repaired.
On the highway itself, the state plans to set up facility centers providing amenities for passengers. Where bridges are under construction, service roads will be prioritized to keep traffic flowing. He further instructed officials to install signboards, signage, and reflectors for better road safety.
Local Feedback And Citizen Interaction
Minister Bhosale personally visited Palaspe, Jite, Pen railway station, Vashinaka, Gadab, Kharpale, and Koleti, interacting with locals to understand their difficulties. He assured citizens that their concerns would be addressed with priority.
Collector Kishan Jawale presented a detailed digital status report of the highway works to the delegation, highlighting progress and pending challenges.
The minister concluded that the state is committed to completing the works on schedule and ensuring a hassle-free journey for the massive Konkan-bound crowd during the upcoming Ganesh festival.