Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has expressed strong disappointment over the prolonged delay in completing the Mumbai-Goa highway, saying he is “ashamed” of the project’s slow progress and will not attend its inauguration.
Speaking at the inauguration of a six-lane elevated corridor in Porvorim, North Goa, Gadkari criticised contractors involved in the highway project and indicated that strict action could follow against agencies and officials responsible for delays.
“The Mumbai-Goa Highway has been quite delayed, and the contractors have failed. What has happened is very unfortunate. My department has set over seven world records for various works, but now I wish my department will have the record for blacklisting and debarring the single largest number of contractors and suspensions of officials within a single year,” he said.
Gadkari said he had “given up waiting for an auspicious time” to inaugurate the highway.
“I have decided I will not go for the inauguration of the Mumbai-Goa highway because I’m ashamed at the delays,” he said. “Yesterday I had a meeting and was informed the highway is 93-94 percent complete. In October, I shall deboard at the Mumbai airport and come to Goa by car… to see the status of its completion.”
Project Has Missed Multiple Deadlines
The 555-km Mumbai-Goa highway is intended to connect Mumbai with Goa, with around 460 km passing through Maharashtra up to Patradevi in Sindhudurg district.
Of the Maharashtra stretch, around 84 km is being developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), while approximately 376 km is being implemented by the state Public Works Department.
Initially targeted for completion in 2016, the highway widening project has repeatedly missed deadlines, drawing criticism from the Union minister on several occasions.
Focus on Road Quality and Green Highways
Gadkari also highlighted the broader role of highway infrastructure in economic development, saying better transport, water, power and communication networks can attract investment and generate employment.
Referring to the newly inaugurated Porvorim elevated corridor, he said the project would ease traffic congestion and shorten travel time for commuters, particularly those travelling towards North Goa’s popular coastal destinations.
He also advocated developing highways as “green highways”, calling for scientific landscaping and infrastructure that can improve environmental performance.
“There should be no compromise on the quality of road works,” he said, while urging studies to identify tree species that can effectively absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
The minister’s comments underline the government’s growing emphasis on contractor accountability, project timelines and construction quality, even as the Mumbai-Goa highway remains in its final stages of development.
With the highway reportedly 93-94% complete, attention will now focus on whether the remaining work can be finished within the revised timeline and whether the long-delayed corridor can finally deliver a faster road connection between Mumbai and Goa.
Source: The Indian Express
