Navi Mumbai: In an effort to ensure smooth travel for the thousands of commuters heading to Konkan during the Ganesh festival, Public Works Minister Shivendra Raje Bhosale has announced plans to make the Mumbai-Goa Highway pothole-free before the festival. The Minister made this statement after inspecting ongoing roadwork on the highway.
Minister Bhosale Inspects Highway Repairs Across Raigad and Ratnagiri
The inspection began at Palaspe Junction in Panvel and was part of a district tour of Raigad and Ratnagiri by the Public Works Minister. Shivendra Raje Bhosale, along with several key officials, visited multiple locations on the highway, including Pen, Kharedi, and Koleti, to assess progress and discuss the measures being taken to improve road conditions.
Accompanying the Minister were MLAs Prashant Thakur, Mahesh Baldi, and Ravindra Patil, District Collector Kishan Jawale, SP Achal Dalal, and various officials from the Public Works Department and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Speaking during a review meeting held at the Government Rest House in Mahad, Bhosale emphasized that the ongoing work on the Mumbai-Goa National Highway must be completed on priority, ensuring that there is no traffic congestion and that the citizens’ commute remains hassle-free.
Ganesh Festival Travel to Be Smooth, Potholes to Be Fixed with New Tech
"We are focusing on providing citizens with a smooth and safe travel experience, especially with Ganesh festival around the corner," Bhosale said.
The Minister also announced that the government is employing modern technologies to effectively fix the potholes and accelerate the ongoing construction work on the highway. He assured that the work would be completed at the earliest, particularly ensuring permanent solutions for the potholes.
Indapur and Maangaon Bypass Works Awarded to New Contractors
Additionally, the tender process for the Indapur and Maangaon bypass bridges has been completed, with new contractors appointed, and these works are expected to take around a year to finish, said a statement issued by Raigad administration.
Alternative Routes, Police Presence, and Signage Being Strengthened
Regarding alternative routes to Konkan, the Minister instructed that roads like Khopoli-Pali should be maintained in good condition. He also stressed increasing police presence in Indapur and Maangaon, and called for Home Guard assistance to manage the flow of traffic during the festival.
For the residents of Murud and Alibag, the Wadkhal-Alibag road will be repaired to ensure safe and smooth travel. The Minister urged all officers to collaborate and ensure no difficulties are faced by commuters during the festival.
As part of the preparations, the government will establish facilities at strategic points along the Mumbai-Goa highway, providing essential services to travelers. The Minister instructed that work on service roads where bridges are under construction must be completed on priority to maintain smooth traffic flow. Signboards, signals, and reflectors should be installed where necessary to guide travelers.
Local Residents Assured of Timely Redressal During Highway Tour
Minister Bhosale also interacted with local residents during his inspection and assured them that any problems faced by the people would be addressed promptly. The District Collector Kishan Jawale provided a presentation on the current state of the highway, giving a detailed update to the officials present.
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The inspection tour was attended by Sub-Divisional Officers, Tehsildars, and various officials from government departments involved in the roadwork and traffic management.
