From The Economic Times · ET Online · · 2m
Mumbai-Goa highway costs spiral as work drags on
A 355-km widening project has ballooned 48% in cost to Rs 16,909 crore, with over Rs 11,577 crore already spent yet stretches still unfinished.
In brief
A 355-km widening project has ballooned 48% in cost to Rs 16,909 crore, with over Rs 11,577 crore already spent yet stretches still unfinished. The Mumbai-Goa highway four-laning project has exceeded its original budget by Rs 5,500 crore while remaining incomplete after 15 years, leaving Konkan commuters stuck in…
Highway cost jumps 48 percent
The Mumbai-Goa highway widening project's sanctioned cost has risen to Rs 16,909 crore, up from the original Rs 11,409 crore. That's an increase of Rs 5,500 crore for four-laning 355 km of NH-66 in Maharashtra.
Already spent more than budgeted
Rs 11,577 crore has been spent on the 10 packages, exceeding the original sanctioned amount even though several stretches remain incomplete. This reveals a massive gap between spending and actual progress.
One package cost nearly tripled
The Parshuram Ghat-Arawali package in the Chiplun-Ratnagiri belt saw its cost jump from Rs 983 crore to Rs 2,226 crore, a 126% increase. This single stretch accounts for the sharpest cost escalation.
Project delayed 15 years running
The four-laning project has faced delays from land acquisition issues, statutory clearances, and contractor financial difficulties. Different stretches have been handled by different agencies since 2011.
Konkan commuters suffer most
A seven-hour journey between Mumbai and Konkan villages becomes much longer during peak travel times like Ganeshotsav. Unfinished sections, narrow carriageways, and construction zones create severe traffic bottlenecks.
Court questions prolonged delays
In January 2024, the Bombay High Court observed that the prolonged delay in NH-66 widening was causing hardship to people and adding to the state exchequer burden through rising construction costs.
“prolonged delay in NH-66 widening and repair works was causing hardship to people and adding to the burden on the state exchequer”
Who is accountable for this mess
RTI activist Jeetendra Ghadge questions how responsibility is divided between agencies executing different sections. He asks why a project of this scale remains incomplete after 15 years despite thousands of crores spent.
“When a project of this scale has remained incomplete for nearly 15 years despite thousands of crores being sanctioned and spent, the government must answer a basic question: who is ultimately accountable for the delay?”
Contrast with Samruddhi Mahamarg
Maharashtra's 701-km Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway opened in phases, with 520 km operational by December 2022. The comparison highlights the Mumbai-Goa project's slower progress despite being a widening rather than new construction.
Here's the gist
The Mumbai-Goa highway four-laning project has exceeded its original budget by Rs 5,500 crore while remaining incomplete after 15 years, leaving Konkan commuters stuck in traffic.
