Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the prolonged delay in completing the widening of the Mumbai-Goa Highway, saying he was “ashamed” that the project had taken so long.
Speaking after inaugurating a six-lane elevated road corridor at Porvorim near Panaji on Wednesday, Gadkari said he had already decided that he would not attend the formal inauguration of the widened highway once the long-delayed project is eventually completed.
Gadkari said the delay had become a matter of embarrassment for him and that he had previously made his decision not to participate in the inauguration clear.
The minister said officials held a meeting on the highway project on Tuesday to discuss the problems affecting its progress. He also announced that he plans to personally inspect the road in October.
Gadkari said he would arrive at Mumbai airport and travel towards Goa by road so that he could experience the route himself and assess whether the highway now provides a smoother and more convenient journey for motorists.
The minister also issued a strong warning to contractors and government officials involved in infrastructure projects that face prolonged delays or poor-quality execution.
Gadkari said he wanted to create a record for taking action against contractors and officials responsible for delays, including blacklisting contractors and suspending officials where necessary. He indicated that such action would continue rather than being limited to isolated cases.
The Mumbai-Goa Highway, a roughly 440-kilometre road corridor connecting Maharashtra with Goa, has been under widening work for several years. The project has faced repeated delays, with different sections progressing at different speeds.
The condition of parts of the highway has also attracted criticism, particularly after the monsoon exposed potholes, surface damage and other problems on stretches that had undergone improvement work.
Motorists travelling along the route have continued to face issues including diversions, waterlogging, traffic congestion and road repairs.
The concerns have become more prominent after toll collection began at the Kharpada toll plaza in May, while several sections of the highway continued to experience infrastructure-related problems.
Another issue raised along the route is the collapse of a monkey overpass near Kannala Animal Sanctuary. The structure, which was built in 2021, was intended to help animals cross the highway safely.
Gadkari’s planned October inspection will allow the minister to assess the highway on the ground and review the travel conditions along the route himself. His remarks also signal increased scrutiny of agencies and contractors involved in completing the long-pending project.
