Roads and Highways to Accelerate Konkan’s Development: Deputy CM Eknath Shinde

Raigad – In a determined effort to boost the rapid development of the scenic Konkan region, the Maharashtra state government is prioritizing the construction of roads and highways to significantly reduce travel time, said Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He announced that the long-awaited Mumbai-Goa highway will soon be completed, alongside the development of the Mumbai-Sindhudurg access-controlled road and several other key road projects.

He was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the new building of Matoshree Gangubai Sambhaji Shinde CBSE School, established by the Mangao Shikshan Prasarak Mandal. The event was also attended by Industries Minister Uday Samant, Rural Employment Minister Bharat Gogawale, MP Sunil Tatkare, MLA Mahendra Dalvi, Municipal President Sharmila Surve, and school authorities including President Adv. Rajeev Sable and Director Aniket Tatkare.

Addressing the gathering, Deputy CM Shinde emphasized the need to shorten travel time to speed up Konkan’s development. He said that the state government has commenced work on nine creek bridges along the coastal highway and assured that the Mumbai-Goa highway will be completed soon. The Mumbai-Sindhudurg access-controlled expressway is progressing well. He also confirmed that the Mangao bypass, which will ease traffic congestion on the Mumbai-Goa highway, will soon be completed.

Highlighting the importance of local employment, Shinde stressed the need to set up major projects in Konkan to generate job opportunities. He noted that the government is actively implementing numerous people-centric development projects to further this goal.

Referring to the women empowerment initiative Ladki Bahin Yojana, Shinde assured that no matter the challenges, the scheme will not be discontinued.

He praised the Mangao Shikshan Prasarak Mandal for opening a CBSE school, thereby providing rural students with access to quality education. He expressed immense joy that the school has been named after Matoshree Gangubai Sambhaji Shinde, who was deeply passionate about education. Shinde shared a personal note, recalling how circumstances once prevented him from pursuing education, though he later earned a degree and ensured his son received higher education—something he takes great pride in.

He added that health and education are two key departments he has personally taken charge of, through which several impactful decisions are being made for the people’s welfare.

Stressing the importance of balancing cultural identity and global competitiveness, Shinde said, “While it is vital to preserve and promote the Marathi language, students must also learn English to thrive in today’s global environment.” The CBSE school was established to fulfill parents’ aspirations in that direction, he said, wishing the institution great success in shaping future leaders.

At the event, Rural Employment Minister Bharat Gogawale reviewed the work of the education trust and pledged full support to its future endeavors. MP Sunil Tatkare acknowledged the trust’s contribution to higher education by launching multiple educational wings in Mangao, which are enabling underprivileged students to access quality education locally and increasing their chances of employment.

The programme was inaugurated by the trust’s president, Adv. Rajeev Sable, and attended by several dignitaries from the academic community, parents, and teachers.