Maharashtra News Updates: The Mumbai–Goa highway, Maharashtra’s largest highway, is currently in its last phase of development and should be completed by March 2026 after 14 years of delays. This important project’s construction started in 2011, but it was repeatedly delayed because of problems with land acquisition, administrative roadblocks, and contractor errors.
Mumbai–Goa Highway to Cut Down 12-Hours Journey
The highway connects numerous cities and villages in the Konkan region, spanning 466 kilometers from Panvel in Mumbai to Sindhudurg, via the districts of Raigad and Ratnagiri. When finished, the 12- to 13-hour journey from Mumbai to Goa will only take six hours, greatly increasing road connectivity, trade, and tourism.
Estimated Cost Doubled Due To Delay
The project was originally estimated to cost ₹3,500 crore, but because of delays and growing material and construction expenses, the budget has almost doubled to ₹7,300 crore. On the other hand, another significant infrastructure project, the Navi Mumbai International Airport, was constructed in just four years, but operations have not yet begun.
Work Status: Almost 95% Finished
Over 95% of the highway’s construction is finished, according to officials, with different sections showing progress ranging from 92% to 99%. The installation of safety infrastructure, toll management systems, and finishing touches are the remaining tasks. One notable aspect of the reconstructed Mumbai-Goa highway is its sophisticated toll collection system. Passing past toll plazas without stopping will be possible with the use of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and satellite-based tracking. It’s anticipated that this technology will ease traffic, conserve fuel, and provide a more comfortable journey.
It is anticipated that the highway will change the Konkan region by expanding employment opportunities, boosting the hospitality, tourism, and logistics industries, and facilitating better access to previously unreachable areas. Safety for long-distance and daily commuters is also expected to increase with improved road infrastructure.
