Accelerate MSRDC Projects Across Maharashtra: Deputy CM Eknath Shinde Directs Swift Action

Mumbai – Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has instructed the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to speed up ongoing road development works across the state and complete as many works as possible on the Mumbai-Nashik Highway before the monsoon season. Reviewing MSRDC’s ongoing projects, he emphasized the need for timely and quality completion. MSRDC Managing Director Anilkumar Gaikwad and other senior officials were present during the meeting.

Shinde specifically reviewed the delayed works on the Mumbai–Nashik Highway and directed that pending tasks be accelerated. He ordered that roads where concreting cannot be completed before the rains should be made motorable through asphalt surfacing. About 31 km of concreting remains on this route, with delays noted at Pimpalas–Charoti and the railway overbridge site. He warned of strict action against contractors and officials responsible for the delays, including issuing notices.

For railway bridge construction, once girders arrive, immediate coordination with the railways to schedule a megablock and finish the work within a month is required. Shinde stated that the bridge at Kasheli creek should be completed by October and the one at Kalwa by the end of June. Ensuring smooth traffic on the Thane–Nashik highway during the monsoon is a priority.

Mumbai–Pune Expressway Missing Link to Be Ready by December

Work on the most challenging part of the Mumbai–Pune Expressway’s Missing Link—the vertical bridge—is currently underway. Given its complexity, Shinde stressed the importance of systematic planning to complete the project by December, after which it will be open to the public. A proposal to expand the expressway from six to ten lanes is under MSRDC’s consideration to ease traffic congestion and improve travel experience for tourists.

Pune Ring Road Project and Tree Replantation Efforts

The Pune Ring Road project, divided into 12 packages, is progressing, with work started on nine packages. Around 10,000 trees are impacted by this project, of which 4,000 have already been successfully replanted, Shinde noted.

Konkan Region Transformation Through New Access-Controlled Roads

On the Revas–Reddi Coastal Highway in Konkan, construction of bridges across nine creeks is ongoing, including at Revas-Karanja, Revdanda, Agardanda, Kelshi, Kalbadevi, Dabhol, and Jaigad. Some of these works are progressing well, and Shinde called for their acceleration. He also emphasized speeding up the proposed access-controlled Konkan Expressway, which will improve connectivity between Mumbai and Sindhudurg and facilitate faster access to the Konkan region.

Shelter Centers for Natural Calamities in Konkan

To prepare for frequent natural disasters in Konkan, MSRDC is constructing 86 temporary shelter centers, with 37 currently under construction. Shinde instructed faster execution and suggested locating these centers near schools so they can be used for educational purposes post-monsoon.

Fast-Track Development of New Mahabaleshwar

MSRDC is developing a new township at the foothills of Mahabaleshwar, now expanded to include 294 villages (from the earlier 235). The Deputy CM reviewed the progress of the Utteshwar temple and ropeway project at Tapola, urging faster implementation.

Shinde concluded by saying that MSRDC has been entrusted with several important projects by the state government and must ensure they are completed on time and with high quality. He suggested MSRDC also participate in slum redevelopment projects like CIDCO and MMRDA. Areas where MSRDC work is underway must be kept clean, with barricades installed and beautification efforts such as tree planting under bridges initiated. Pre-monsoon works should be prioritized and completed promptly, he said.