Mumbai News: DCM Eknath Shinde Directs MSRDC To Expedite Road Projects Before Monsoon, Reviews Infrastructure Progress Across State
Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has directed the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to speed up various ongoing road development works in the state and ensure that as many works as possible on the Mumbai-Nashik Highway are completed before the monsoon sets in.
Shinde reviewed the progress of multiple MSRDC-led infrastructure projects across Maharashtra and emphasized that all works should be completed on time and with high quality standards. MSRDC Managing Director Anilkumar Gaikwad and other senior officials were present at the review meeting.
During the assessment of the Mumbai-Nashik Highway, Shinde instructed that all delayed works be expedited. For road sections where concrete work cannot be completed before the monsoon, temporary asphalt surfacing should be done to ensure smooth traffic flow. About 31 kilometers of the highway are yet to be concretized.
In addition if contractors are being negligent in completing the works, they should be issued notices and stern warnings. For the railway bridge works, once the girders arrive, a mega block should be promptly arranged with the railways so that the work is completed within a month.
Bridge construction over the creek at Kasheli on old Mumbai Nashik Highway expansion project is expected to be completed by October, and the Kalwa creek bridge by the end of June.
Shinde clearly directed that traffic on the Thane-Nashik Highway must remain smooth during the upcoming monsoon.
Mumbai-Pune Expressway ‘Missing Link’ to be Completed by December
The most challenging component of the ‘missing link’ on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway — the vertical bridge — is currently under construction. As the work is complex, Shinde emphasized that it should be completed in a planned manner. The project is expected to be completed by December, after which the road will be opened to the public.
Given the frequent traffic congestion on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, MSRDC is considering a proposal to expand the highway from six lanes to ten. This will particularly help weekend travelers. The expansion is estimated to cost ₹14,900 crore and will require the construction of four new tunnels.
10,000 Trees to Be Replanted as Part of Pune Ring Road Project
The Pune Ring Road project, comprising 12 packages, has officially begun, with work already underway on nine of them. As many as 10,000 trees — including native species such as banyan, peepal, and gulmohar — are affected by the project, and all will be replanted.
Around 4,000 of these trees have already been successfully replanted, with 5,000 more to follow using the same scientific process. The work is being carried out in collaboration with the Manikchand Foundation, with replanting efforts taking place either on the affected farmers’ lands or along the sides of the ring road.
New Access-Controlled Road to Transform the Konkan Region
Work is underway to construct nine bridges across creeks on the Rewas-Reddi Coastal Highway in the Konkan region, including at Rewas-Karanja, Revadanda, Agardanda, Kelshi, Kalbadevi, Dabhol, and Jaigad. Some of these bridges are already progressing well, and Shinde directed that the pace of work be increased.
He also emphasized expediting the proposed Konkan Express Access-Controlled Highway, which will bring Mumbai and Sindhudurg closer and greatly improve connectivity across the region.
Accelerate Construction of Shelter Centers in Konkan
To provide temporary shelters for citizens during frequent natural disasters in the Konkan region, MSRDC is constructing 86 shelter centers. Of these, 37 centers are currently under construction. Shinde instructed officials to speed up the remaining works and proposed that such shelters be located near schools so that schools can use them for their activities post-monsoon.
Engage With Villagers Opposing the Shaktipeeth Highway
A review of the Shaktipeeth Highway — which will reduce the travel time between Nagpur and Goa from 18 hours to just 8 — was also undertaken. As the project is facing opposition in Kolhapur, Latur, Dharashiv, and Beed districts, Shinde urged that dialogues be initiated with locals to address concerns. The highway is intended to be a fully access-controlled grid, similar to the Samruddhi Mahamarg, and is expected to benefit farmers and citizens across 12 districts.
Speed Up Development of New Mahabaleshwar
MSRDC is spearheading the development of ‘New Mahabaleshwar’ at the foothills of the existing hill station. The project now includes 294 villages, up from the original 235. Considering the area's abundance of medicinal plants, companies like Dabur and Patanjali should be invited to set up units, and wellness and naturopathy centers should be encouraged. New waterfalls and eco-friendly roads should be developed to provide employment for local residents.
The review also included the progress of the Utteshwar temple and ropeway project in Tapola, with instructions to speed up both projects.
Shinde also suggested that the agency should also participate in slum redevelopment projects, similar to CIDCO and MMRDA. Where MSRDC work is ongoing, debris should be cleared, barricades should be installed, and under-bridge beautification should be done through tree planting. Pre-monsoon works must be prioritized and completed on schedule, he directed.
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