Panaji: Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has expressed strong disappointment over the prolonged delay in completing the Mumbai-Goa Highway, saying he feels “ashamed” that the project has taken so long to reach completion.
Speaking at the inauguration of a six-lane elevated corridor at Porvorim in Goa, Gadkari said the Mumbai-Goa Highway project is now approximately 93-94% complete. He also announced that he plans to personally inspect the entire route in October by travelling from Mumbai to Goa by road.
Gadkari: ‘I am ashamed of the delays’
Gadkari said he had previously decided that he would not attend the inauguration of the completed Mumbai-Goa Highway because of the repeated delays.
He blamed contractors for failing to complete sections of the project on schedule and indicated that strict action could follow against companies and officials responsible for poor performance.
The minister said the government could see a record number of contractors being blacklisted or debarred, while officials could also face suspension over delays and poor-quality work.
Highway project has faced years of delays
The Mumbai-Goa Highway, part of NH-66, is a strategically important road corridor connecting Mumbai with Goa and the Konkan region.
The project to widen the existing two-lane highway into a four-lane road was launched in 2011, with the objective of reducing travel time between Mumbai and Goa from roughly 12 hours to around six hours.
However, land acquisition, permissions and problems involving several construction packages contributed to repeated delays. Earlier government statements had also set completion targets that were subsequently pushed back.
Gadkari plans October road inspection
Despite his criticism, Gadkari said the project is now close to completion.
He said he plans to land at Mumbai airport in October and travel by road all the way to Goa to personally assess the condition of the highway and determine whether the completed sections are providing a smoother journey for motorists.
The inspection could also allow the minister to identify remaining bottlenecks and construction-quality issues before the highway is fully opened.
New Porvorim corridor opens
Gadkari’s remarks came during the inauguration of a 5.15-km six-lane elevated corridor at Porvorim, near Panaji.
The elevated road is designed to bypass one of North Goa’s busiest stretches and improve traffic movement between Panaji, Mapusa, popular tourist areas and Mopa Airport. The corridor was built at an estimated cost of ₹641 crore, according to reports.
The new infrastructure is expected to significantly reduce congestion in Porvorim and improve connectivity along the larger Mumbai-Goa corridor.
Focus now shifts to completion
With the Mumbai-Goa Highway reportedly more than 90% complete, attention is now focused on finishing the remaining stretches and ensuring that construction quality meets required standards.
Gadkari’s decision to personally travel the route in October reflects the importance attached to the long-delayed project. For motorists and residents of the Konkan region, the completion of the highway is expected to bring shorter travel times, improved road safety and better connectivity between Maharashtra and Goa.
After years of delays, the key question now is whether the remaining work can finally be completed without another extension to the project’s timeline.
