📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
Politics
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari skips Mumbai‑Goa highway inauguration, cites delays
✍️ indiatoday.in
🗓 10 Sep 2026, 12:02 PM
👁 2
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said he feels ashamed of the prolonged delays in the Mumbai‑Goa highway expansion and will not attend its inauguration ceremony.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari expressed disappointment over the slow progress of the Mumbai‑Goa highway expansion, describing the delays as a source of personal embarrassment. He said the project, which aims to widen and upgrade the coastal corridor, has been stalled for months due to land acquisition and funding bottlenecks.
Gadkari added that, given the prolonged setbacks, he would not be present at the scheduled inauguration ceremony, which is set to be held later this week. He urged the state governments of Maharashtra and Goa, along with the implementing agencies, to accelerate work and meet the original timelines.
The minister’s statement comes as the central government pushes for faster completion of key infrastructure projects ahead of the upcoming fiscal year. Officials said that despite the minister’s absence, the ceremony will proceed with local dignitaries and project officials.
Stakeholders have indicated that the highway, once completed, will reduce travel time between the two states and boost tourism and trade along the Konkan coast. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has promised additional monitoring to ensure the project stays on track.
No further comments were sought from the state transport departments at the time of reporting.
Gadkari added that, given the prolonged setbacks, he would not be present at the scheduled inauguration ceremony, which is set to be held later this week. He urged the state governments of Maharashtra and Goa, along with the implementing agencies, to accelerate work and meet the original timelines.
The minister’s statement comes as the central government pushes for faster completion of key infrastructure projects ahead of the upcoming fiscal year. Officials said that despite the minister’s absence, the ceremony will proceed with local dignitaries and project officials.
Stakeholders have indicated that the highway, once completed, will reduce travel time between the two states and boost tourism and trade along the Konkan coast. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has promised additional monitoring to ensure the project stays on track.
No further comments were sought from the state transport departments at the time of reporting.