Nagpur: A fresh debate on Mumbai’s long-pending road infrastructure projects unfolded in the Maharashtra Assembly on Friday, with legislators flagging delays that continue to disrupt daily travel for thousands of commuters. The issue was brought to the forefront by Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Milind Narwekar, who expressed concern over the slow progress on the crucial Worli–Sewri road link, a corridor expected to significantly ease east–west traffic movement in the city.
Responding to the concerns, Industries Minister Uday Samant provided a detailed project update, revealing that the construction of Narayan Hardikar Marg — one of the key stretches connecting Shivdi to Worli — has reached nearly 90% completion. According to Samant, major civil works are finished, and the remaining tasks now revolve around constructing the access ramps. All barricades obstructing movement around the under-construction bridge have also been cleared, he added.
However, Samant acknowledged that progress across the broader Shivdi–Worli highway remains uneven. While overall work stands at 62% completion, two sections — near the Shivdi railway station and the Elphinstone locality — are facing delays due to unresolved rehabilitation issues involving project-affected families. The minister assured the Assembly that the government has revised the project timeline, with the entire corridor slated for completion by September 2026.
The House also debated congestion issues on the Samruddhi Mahamarg, raised by MLC Satyajit Tambe, who highlighted frequent peak-hour traffic jams caused by incomplete work on the Thane–Bhiwandi bypass stretch. Minister of State Meghana Bordikar clarified that diversions onto narrow service roads were primarily responsible for the bottlenecks. She informed members that the MSRDC, working on behalf of NHAI, is constructing four major bridges, four minor bridges and four underpasses along NH-848 (formerly NH-3).
Bordikar added that a fleet of 127 traffic wardens and nine cranes had already been deployed to manage congestion and ensure smoother flow. She committed that the remaining work on the bypass would be completed by May next year, offering hope for commuters troubled by recurring delays.
