HC asks state to build service roads, barricades on Mumbai-Goa highway

12 Jul 2021 CW Team

According to the court, there is a risk of speeding vehicles mowing down villagers crossing the road. The HC even stated that the ongoing highway road widening project has made little progress.

The bench was hearing a petition filed by Owais Pechkar, who emphasised the dangers of potholes and the ongoing road-widening project on the Mumbai-Goa highway.

When the matter was called out on Friday, Ashutosh Kumbhakoni, the state advocate general, submitted an affidavit detailing the status of the road-widening work along the entire stretch.

After reviewing the status of the highway project, the bench stated, The progress is dismal. There hasn't been much progress since April. In fact, at times, there was only 1% progress.

Kumbhakoni attempted to persuade the bench by claiming that the authorities were unable to find labourers due to the ongoing pandemic.

Notably, the road-widening work has been divided among several contractors, each of whom has been assigned a section of the stretch.

The judges noted that some of the contractors who were given the orders in 2018 have completed up to 90%, if not more, of their work. However, a few contractors who received the orders in 2017 have only completed about 60% of the work.

The bench also questioned Kumbhakoni about why potholes continued to appear despite the ongoing repairs. According to Kumbhakoni, the original road was made of tar, but it is now being concreted.

Meanwhile, Pechkar informed the judges that 2,442 people have died on the highway since 2010. The judges, on the other hand, stated that they would consider the matter on the next hearing date. Pechkar also requested that authorities issue urgent directives to fill potholes, as the majority of citizens will be travelling to their hometowns in Konkan for the upcoming Ganeshotsav festival.

Image Source

Also read: NHAI to set up EV charging stations along national highways in India

Also read: India's first green and safe highway to be developed in Rajasthan

On Friday, a Bombay High Court bench led by Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Girish Kulkarni directed the state government to build service roads and barriers along the Mumbai-Goa highway to protect residents of villages along the route. According to the court, there is a risk of speeding vehicles mowing down villagers crossing the road. The HC even stated that the ongoing highway road widening project has made little progress. The bench was hearing a petition filed by Owais Pechkar, who emphasised the dangers of potholes and the ongoing road-widening project on the Mumbai-Goa highway. When the matter was called out on Friday, Ashutosh Kumbhakoni, the state advocate general, submitted an affidavit detailing the status of the road-widening work along the entire stretch. After reviewing the status of the highway project, the bench stated, The progress is dismal. There hasn't been much progress since April. In fact, at times, there was only 1% progress. Kumbhakoni attempted to persuade the bench by claiming that the authorities were unable to find labourers due to the ongoing pandemic. Notably, the road-widening work has been divided among several contractors, each of whom has been assigned a section of the stretch. The judges noted that some of the contractors who were given the orders in 2018 have completed up to 90%, if not more, of their work. However, a few contractors who received the orders in 2017 have only completed about 60% of the work. The bench also questioned Kumbhakoni about why potholes continued to appear despite the ongoing repairs. According to Kumbhakoni, the original road was made of tar, but it is now being concreted. Meanwhile, Pechkar informed the judges that 2,442 people have died on the highway since 2010. The judges, on the other hand, stated that they would consider the matter on the next hearing date. Pechkar also requested that authorities issue urgent directives to fill potholes, as the majority of citizens will be travelling to their hometowns in Konkan for the upcoming Ganeshotsav festival. Image Source Also read: NHAI to set up EV charging stations along national highways in India Also read: India's first green and safe highway to be developed in Rajasthan

Infrastructure Urban

13 Oct 2025

Daikin Boosts Haryana’s Innovation Push with Rs 10 billion R&D Plan

Japanese multinational Daikin Industries has committed an investment of Rs 10 billion to set up a new research and development centre in Haryana. The proposed facility will focus on advanced technologies and sustainable industrial solutions, marking a significant boost to the state’s innovation and industrial ecosystem. The announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Osaka, Japan, during a visit by a Haryana government delegation held from October 6 to 8. The MoU was signed by Amit Kumar Agrawal, Commissioner and Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, ..

Building Material

13 Oct 2025

Lloyds Metals to Build Rs 250 billion Steel Plant in Gadchiroli

Lloyds Metals & Energy Limited (LMEL) has announced an investment of Rs 250 billion aimed at transforming Gadchiroli in Maharashtra from a region once associated with the red corridor into a key industrial and growth hub. The company’s plans are centred on establishing an integrated steel production ecosystem, which will contribute significantly to regional development and employment. As part of its expansion strategy, LMEL is setting up a 4.5-million-tonne blast furnace in Gadchiroli, scheduled for completion by 2027–28, along with another 1.2-million-tonne facility in Chandrapur by 2029..

Infrastructure Urban

13 Oct 2025

UPI Crosses 500 Million Users, Fuels MSME and Digital Growth

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has achieved a new milestone, surpassing 500 million consumers and 65 million merchants across India. The platform, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has expanded its reach to nearly 99 percent of the country’s pin codes, underlining its deep penetration into both urban and rural markets. According to a report by NPCI and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) launched during the Global Fintech Fest 2025, UPI has evolved from being a digital payments mechanism into a key enabler of financial inclusion and small business growth. I..