The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is accelerating the construction of a 42-kilometre section of the Mumbai-Goa highway, from Panvel to Kasu in Raigad district, to facilitate the return of migrants to their hometowns for Ganeshotsav celebrations in the Konkan region. This stretch is being transformed from a bituminous road into a cemented one.The Mumbai-Goa highway project, covering a total of 555 kilometres, extends across Maharashtra to Patradevi in Sindhudurg district. NHAI is responsible for an 84-kilometre segment from Panvel to Indapur in Raigad district, divided into two packages. Package 1 involves the 42-kilometre stretch from Panvel to Kasu, while Package 2 includes the remaining 42 kilometres from Kasu to Indapur.JM Mhatre Infra secured the work order for Package 1, valued at Rs 1.51 billion, while Kalyan Toll Infra secured Package 2's work order in November 2022.Initial challenges and delays plagued the project, as Supreme Tollways was initially awarded the entire 84-kilometre construction task in 2011, with a completion target set for 2014. However, issues such as land acquisition and utility shifting led to delays, and the contractor faced financial difficulties.In 2021, NHAI terminated the contractor's services due to deadline non-compliance. Despite legal challenges, NHAI appointed two new contractors in 2022.Currently, 32 kilometres of the Panvel-to-Kasu stretch have been completed, with ongoing work to cement the road due to heavy rainfall in the region. NHAI aims to complete the remaining work in time for the Ganesh festival. Package 2 construction will continue until December 2024 and includes underpasses, bridges, and road cementing from Kasu to Indapur.While NHAI oversees 84 kilometres of the Mumbai-Goa highway in Maharashtra, the state Public Works Department (PWD) is responsible for the remaining 376 kilometres. PWD has finished 266 kilometres of the stretch and aims to complete the remaining 88 kilometres by December this year. The project is divided into ten packages for efficient execution, spanning from Mangaon in Raigad district to Patradevi in Sindhudurg district. If you want to learn more about Indian Roads, make sure you sign-up for the India Roads Conference at the India Construction Festival on October 12th in New Delhi Click HERE and reserve your seats! Or call Deepali on 82919 95574....