Shinde urges faster road infra work before monsoon
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has directed the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to accelerate the pace of all ongoing road infrastructure projects across the state, especially prioritising the completion of key stretches on the Mumbai–Nashik highway before the arrival of the monsoon.
Reviewing the progress of MSRDC-led infrastructure developments, Shinde, in a meeting attended by MSRDC Managing Director Anilkumar Gaikwad and other senior officials, stressed the need for strict adherence to project timelines. He stated that MSRDC, like CIDCO and MMRDA, should actively participate in slum redevelopment efforts to support holistic urban growth. Shinde expressed concern over delays in the Mumbai–Nashik highway concretisation, pointing out that 31 kilometres of the route still remain unfinished. He instructed that if concrete works could not be completed before the rains, then those segments must be made traffic-ready through asphalting. He also directed the speedy completion of works at the Pimpalas–Charoti stretch and the railway overbridge, warning that contractors showing negligence should be issued notices.
The Deputy Chief Minister also instructed authorities to ensure smooth traffic flow on the Thane–Nashik highway during the monsoon and confirmed that the missing link of the Mumbai–Pune Expressway must be ready for public use by December. Shinde reviewed the proposed Konkan access-controlled Expressway that aims to improve connectivity from Mumbai to Sindhudurg, enhancing access to the coastal Konkan region. He also urged faster completion of 86 planned shelter centres in Konkan, of which 37 are currently under construction. These centres, meant for monsoon emergencies, should preferably be located near schools for dual usage after the rainy season. The ambitious Shaktipeeth highway project, designed to cut travel time from Nagpur to Goa from 18 hours to just eight, was also reviewed. Noting resistance from villages in Kolhapur, Latur, Dharashiv, and Beed, Shinde suggested initiating dialogue with locals to address concerns. He emphasised the project’s potential to replicate the success of the Samruddhi Expressway and boost development across 12 districts.
Work on the planned New Mahabaleshwar development project was also directed to be fast-tracked as part of the state’s broader infrastructure vision.
