In a recent announcement, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde revealed plans to make one lane of the Mumbai-Goa highway motorable before the upcoming Ganesh festival. The highway has faced criticism due to its incomplete and uneven stretches, causing inconvenience to motorists. With a significant number of people from Konkan region commuting to Mumbai and returning for the Ganeshotsav festival, the move to repair and smoothen one lane is aimed at alleviating travel concerns during the festive season.
The Public Works Department Minister, Ravindra Chavan, is overseeing the project’s initiation, even though the highway falls under the jurisdiction of the National Highway Authority of India. The preparations for the repair work are reportedly complete, with the intention to make the lane motorable before the Ganesh festival.
Additionally, plans are underway for a greenfield access-control highway connecting Mumbai and Sindhudurg, similar to the Pune-Mumbai expressway. The government is also focusing on infrastructure projects to boost local job creation and tourism in the region.
Moreover, Chief Minister Shinde mentioned the ongoing bridge construction to connect the Konkan region with Satara, along with proposed bridges in Tapola and Bamnoli. The cabinet expansion, which currently has 18 vacant berths, is expected to be completed soon.
