June 17, 2025: To tackle mounting congestion on the Mumbai–Goa Highway, the Maharashtra government has sanctioned Rs 15 crore for the urgent development of four internal roads identified as key alternate routes. These corridors are intended to serve as temporary relief measures while bypass construction at Indapur and Mangaon remains underway. The initiative is expected to benefit daily commuters, freight operators, and tourism-related travel, all of which have been impacted by ongoing highway expansion works.
The roads selected for immediate widening and repair include Morba Road, which connects directly to the Mumbai–Goa Highway; the Sainagar Canal Bridge route leading to Uttekhol Canal village; Nizampur Canal Road, linking to Bhadav Road within Mangaon Nagar Panchayat; and the Indapur Canal Road, which extends to Wigavli Phata. All these stretches fall within Raigad district and are known for high traffic volumes, making them crucial detour options during periods of peak load.
The financial approval for the project was granted during a review meeting held at Mantralaya, chaired virtually by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Senior officials from the Public Works, Revenue, Planning, and Finance departments were also in attendance. The decision followed Pawar’s field inspection in Raigad on 18 May, where he committed to swift, interim actions rather than waiting for national-level approvals.
The upgrades will go beyond basic resurfacing. Plans include structural enhancements, improved drainage systems, reflective signage, and other safety measures—particularly vital with the monsoon season approaching.
Although bypass development falls under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), persistent delays have led the state to intervene. The Raigad Collector and Superintendent of Police have been directed to ensure crowd control and smooth vehicle flow during the work period.
Experts see this decentralised approach as a smart, localised response to larger infrastructure delays, offering better last-mile connectivity to towns like Mangaon and Indapur. If completed as scheduled, this project could serve as a model for decongesting major highways elsewhere in the state.
Source: Times Property
