Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has issued a stringent directive to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to fast-track ongoing road infrastructure projects across the state.
A critical focus of this mandate is the expeditious completion of key works on the Mumbai-Nashik highway, ensuring its traffic-worthiness before the heavy rains commence. This proactive stance underscores the state government’s commitment to resilient urban infrastructure, aiming to minimise disruptions and ensure seamless connectivity for citizens, aligning with the broader vision of creating sustainable and accessible cities that can withstand environmental challenges.
During a comprehensive review of various MSRDC-led infrastructure projects, attended by MSRDC Managing Director Anilkumar Gaikwad and other senior officials, Shinde emphasised the imperative of adhering to stipulated timelines. He also notably encouraged MSRDC to broaden its mandate, urging its participation in slum redevelopment projects, similar to the roles played by CIDCO and MMRDA. This expansion of MSRDC’s scope highlights a holistic approach to urban development, acknowledging the intertwined nature of infrastructure and social equity, crucial for fostering inclusive and gender-neutral cities. A primary concern addressed during the review was the persistent delays on the Mumbai-Nashik highway. Shinde issued explicit instructions that all pending works on this vital artery must be expedited. A pragmatic solution was also proposed: if the complete concretisation of road sections cannot be achieved before the monsoon, these stretches should be made immediately traffic-worthy through asphalting. This directive acknowledges the practical constraints while prioritising public convenience and safety, especially given that concretisation work on 31 kilometres of this route remains incomplete. Furthermore, Shinde explicitly warned against contractor negligence, stating that firms failing to meet deadlines would be served notices, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to project delays.
Beyond the Mumbai-Nashik corridor, Shinde also directed that traffic flow on the Thane-Nashik highway must remain unhindered throughout the monsoon season, a critical requirement for maintaining supply chain stability and daily commutes. A significant deadline was set for the Mumbai-Pune Expressway’s missing link, with the Deputy Chief Minister instructing that this crucial section be opened to the public by December. This expedited timeline for a key inter-city connector demonstrates a clear focus on enhancing regional mobility and economic efficiency. Progress on the proposed Konkan access-controlled Expressway was also scrutinised. This ambitious project aims to drastically improve connectivity between Mumbai and Sindhudurg, promising faster access to the scenic Konkan region, which is vital for tourism and local economies. Complementing this, Shinde instructed the acceleration of work on shelter centres in Konkan. These 86 planned centres are designed to provide temporary refuge to citizens during recurring natural calamities, with work currently underway on 37 of them. A forward-thinking suggestion was to construct these shelters preferably near schools, allowing for dual use post-monsoon, thereby maximising resource utilisation and integrating community resilience with existing urban infrastructure.
Finally, the review touched upon the transformative Shaktipeeth highway project, which aims to reduce the formidable 18-hour journey from Nagpur to Goa to a mere eight hours. Recognising the significant opposition to this project from districts such as Kolhapur, Latur, Dharashiv, and Beed, Shinde underscored the importance of initiating constructive dialogue with affected villagers. “The objective is to create a complete access-controlled grid connecting Nagpur and Goa, similar to the Samruddhi Expressway, which will benefit farmers and citizens in 12 districts,” he stated, stressing the need to communicate effectively with farmers and gain their confidence. This emphasis on community engagement in large-scale projects is vital for ensuring equitable development outcomes and fostering trust between governance and citizens, a cornerstone of creating truly sustainable and resilient cities. The Deputy Chief Minister also instructed to speed up work on New Mahabaleshwar, indicating a broad thrust for developmental initiatives across the state.
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