Incomplete Mum-Goa h’way stretch worries Konkaniites on Ganesh festivalUmesh K ParidaNavi Mumbai: The incomplete Mumbai-Goa highway (NH-66) stretches in Raigad and Ratnagiri districts have become cause for concern for thousands of devotees who travel to their hometowns in Konkan for Ganpati festival.The unfinished road works restrict vehicle mobility leading to traffic congestion and even accidents, complain activists and motorists. “There are seven traffic mess spots between Pen and Mangaon talukas in Raigad district. This leads to more consumption of time and fuel, accidents, increase in pollution and slows ambulances,” said activist Chaitanya Patil, who is an engineer by profession.While the section in Sindhudurg district is complete, two sections in Raigad and three in Ratnagiri have reported between 73% and 86% work completion. The lagging work progress level has forced the authorities and politicians to provide free train and bus travel, giving toll exemption and other support to the Konkaniites till their return after Ganeshotsav.The works are executed by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Public Works Department’s National Highway (PWD-NH) division. NHAI is executing an 84.6km long stretch from Panvel to Indapur in Raigad district worth Rs 483 crore, while the PWD-NH division is constructing 366km — including extension — at a collective cost of Rs 6,100 crore stretching between Indapur and Zarap in Sindhudurg district.The NHAI work status under Raigad reveals the Panvel-Indapur stretch has recorded 86% work completion. The NHAI is executing concretisation work by dividing the stretch in two parts Panvel-Kasu and Kasu-Indapur. The PWD-NH figures put Indapur-Vadpale (27km) work completion at 73%, while the remaining stretches are almost completed in Raigad. Work completion status in Ratnagiri reveals the Arawali-Kante stretch (39km) has recorded 81% and Kante-Waked (49km) 86%, but only the Chiplun flyover portion is left on Parshuram Ghat – Arawali (34 km) section. Its overall work stands 93%. (see graphic)State govt has extended the completion deadline for Mumbai-Goa highway to March 2026, even as PWD-NH division has initiated pothole filling and highway repair works 24×7.Navi Mumbai: The Mumbai-Goa highway (NH-66) stretches in Raigad and Ratnagiri districts have become a worrying factor for the Ganesh devotees. While Sindhudurg district has achieved about 100% completion, 2 sections in Raigad and 3 in Ratnagiri have reported between 73% and 86% work completion. The lagging work progress level has been forcing the authorities and politicians to collude in providing free of cost train and bus journeys, giving toll exemption and other support to the Konkaniites till their return.The works are executed by the National Highway Authority of India and PWD-National Highway Division. NHAI is executing an 84.6km long stretch from Panvel to Indapur (Raigad) worth Rs 483 crore. The PWD-NH division is constructing 366km (including extension) at a collective cost of Rs 6,100 crore stretched between Indapur and Zarap in Sindhudurg.The NHAI work status under Raigad reveals the Panvel to Indapur stretch has recorded 86% work completion. The NHAI is executing concretization work by dividing the stretch in two parts Panvel-Kasu and Kasu-Indapur.The PWD-NH figures put Indapur-Vadpale (27km) work completion at 73% while the remaining stretches nearing completion in Raigad. Work completion status in Ratnagiri reveals the Arawali to Kante stretch (39 km) has recorded 81% and Kante-Waked (49km) – 86% but only the Chiplun flyover portion is left on Parshuram Ghat – Arawali (34 km) section. Its overall work stands 93%.The state government has set a new revised target to complete the work by March 2026. The PWD-NH division has initiated pothole filling and highway repairing works throughout the day and night. Incomplete works have been taking a toll on the motorists.Engineer turned activist, Chaitanya Patil said, “There are 7 traffic mess spots between Pen and Mangaon talukas in Raigad district. This leads to more consumption of time and fuel, mental stress, accidents, financial losses, increase in pollution and affects ambulances.”Deputy CM, Ajit Pawar chaired meeting had in this month approved an additional expenditure of Rs 21 cr towards sub-ways, trauma centre, toilets at a gap of 40kms, among other works to be executed through the PWD.Work statistics:A) Under NHAI:From – To – Length – Cost – CompletionPanvel – Kasu – 42.300km – Rs 151 cr- 94%Kasu – Indapur – 42.300km – Rs 332 cr- 79%Overall completion- 84.600km – Rs 483 cr -86%B) Under PWD-NH divisionFrom – To – Length – Cost – CompletionIndapur – Vadpale -27km –Rs458 cr – 73%Vadpale – Bhogaon -39km – Rs 643 cr -100%Bhogaon – Kashedi (Tunnel)– 9km – Rs 441 cr – 98%Kashedi – Parshuram Ghat – 42km – Rs 580 cr -99%Parshuram Ghat – Arawali – 35 km – Rs 670 cr – 96%Arawali – Kante – 39km – Rs 593 cr – 81%Kante – Waked – 49km – Rs 826 cr -86%Waked – Talgaon – 33 km – Rs 508 cr – 99.99%Talgaon – Kalmath – 38km – Rs 468 cr -100%Kalmath – Zarap – 44 km – Rs 914 cr – 99.99%Overall completion – 366 km – Rs 6,100 cr -93%
