Yearly assurances, endless potholes: Mumbai-Goa highway still in disrepair
Yearly assurances, endless potholes: Mumbai-Goa highway still in disrepair
As the monsoon season brings fresh challenges, the Mumbai-Goa National Highway continues to suffer, with large potholes and damaged infrastructure causing significant disruptions. In Raigad district, sections of the highway from Nagothane to Kolad, Khamb, and Mangaon have become nearly impassable due to massive potholes. These hazardous conditions have left motorists struggling, with many experiencing severe vehicle damage and wondering who to hold accountable. Just last week, a car became trapped in one of these potholes near Nagothane, requiring a group effort to push it free. The situation has only been compounded by the closure of one lane near Bharne Naka due to a damaged bridge, and the collapse of a protective barrier at Parshuram Patil.
This recurring issue on the Mumbai-Goa National Highway has become an annual frustration, especially for devotees traveling to Konkan for the Ganesh festival. Despite promises of repair, the highway remains in a deplorable state year after year. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, in a recent meeting with Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Waikar, once again assured that the highway would be pothole-free before this year’s festival. Yet, this promise echoes similar commitments made last year, which went unfulfilled, leaving many questioning the reliability of these assurances.
The ongoing deterioration of the highway is not just a matter of inconvenience but a serious safety concern. Motorists, like Aniket Kamble, who frequently use this route, express their frustration, asking if they will be forced to endure the same perilous conditions every year.
The repeated pledges to repair the highway before the Ganesh festival have begun to lose their impact, with little evidence of progress on the ground. While Gadkari’s latest promise offers a glimmer of hope, the real test will be whether this time, the highway is indeed restored to a condition that allows for safe and smooth travel, or if it remains a recurring nightmare for those who rely on it.
