Ajit Pawar Orders Swift Action to Fix Mumbai-Nashik Highway or Face Suspension

Mumbai, 1st August 2024: On Thursday, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar issued a directive to improve traffic conditions on the Mumbai-Nashik highway, warning that any official responsible for delays in achieving smoother traffic flow within the next 10 days will face suspension. Pawar also requested that authorities propose suspending toll collection on the highway until necessary repairs are completed and potholes are addressed.

Pawar emphasized the need for a thorough inspection of traffic congestion areas with public representatives and urged the preparation of a detailed traffic management plan. He instructed the use of drones for ongoing traffic monitoring to ensure efficient management. “Efforts must be made to significantly reduce traffic congestion caused by potholes, underpasses, and flyover construction on the highway,” he said.

He added that no new construction should commence without providing alternative roads of comparable quality to mitigate disruptions. “The Maharashtra Government will extend all required support. However, if traffic issues persist on the highway in the next 10 days, the responsible officer will be suspended,” Pawar told the Additional Chief Secretary of the Public Works Department.

A meeting chaired by Pawar at Mantralaya reviewed the Mumbai-Nashik highway’s condition, a critical route linking north Maharashtra with the state capital. Ongoing flyover construction at Asangaon and Vashind, coupled with rain-induced potholes, has increased travel time between Nashik and Mumbai to 8-10 hours, causing significant inconvenience to motorists.

“This is a pressing issue requiring immediate action. Timely repairs are crucial for reducing travel time and improving vehicle speed. The negligence of the highway contractor needs to be addressed,” Pawar stated. He also directed that officials from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and other representatives conduct joint inspections, including drone recordings of the damaged areas.

Pawar reiterated the need to halt toll collection until repairs are completed and stressed the importance of coordinating efforts among various agencies including NHAI, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), the Public Works Department, traffic police, and municipal authorities from Bhiwandi, Kalyan, and Nashik.

Additionally, Pawar highlighted the need for traffic police to have 40-tonne cranes available for removing broken-down vehicles quickly and requested funds from NHAI and MSRDC for this purpose. He also suggested using drones during peak hours to monitor congestion and involving home guards for traffic control. Uniforms should be provided to traffic wardens by MSRDC, with the necessary funding to be allocated by the planning committee.