A viral drone video showcasing the severely potholed Mumbai-Goa highway has ignited public outrage, drawing attention to the perilous road conditions and the long-delayed highway project. The video, widely shared on social media, reveals a stretch of the Vashishti bridge riddled with crater-like potholes, resembling a lunar surface more than a road. This has sparked widespread concern and criticism, especially with the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival, when many people will be traveling this route.
The appalling state of the Mumbai-Goa highway is not a new issue. For years, commuters have endured bumpy rides, vehicle damage, and significant travel delays due to the deteriorating road quality. The highway, officially known as National Highway 66, has been under construction for over a decade, with an 84-kilometer section between Panvel and Kasu being a particularly проблемatic area.
Heavy rainfall in Maharashtra has exacerbated the pothole situation, making navigation even more challenging and dangerous, especially for smaller vehicles. The viral video highlights the dangers, showing how large trucks parked beside the divider further complicate navigation. In some areas, the service roads maintained by the National Highways Department have been reduced to ruins, with large rocks and pooled water obscuring the road conditions. Attempts to cover the potholes with gravel have proven inadequate and even hazardous, leading to slippery surfaces and accidents, particularly for two-wheeled vehicles.
The Mumbai-Goa highway project has faced numerous delays and cost overruns. Originally estimated at Rs 3,500 crore, the project's cost has escalated to Rs 7,300 crore. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) manages the 84-kilometer section from Panvel to Indapur for widening, while the Public Works Department (PWD) is responsible for other parts of the highway.
The Bombay High Court has previously reprimanded both the Maharashtra state government and the NHAI for their failure to complete the construction on time and maintain the road quality. The court has even imposed penalties on the authorities for not fulfilling their promises. Despite assurances from authorities that they are addressing the pothole issues, problems persist, leading to a surge in public grievances and petitions. In response, the court has mandated officials to conduct inspections of the highway and submit comprehensive reports.
The viral drone video serves as a stark reminder of the authorities' failure to provide a safe and reliable transportation route. As the Ganesh festivities approach, the urgent need for repairs and lasting solutions is amplified. The public demands accountability and swift action to transform the pothole-ridden highway into a road worthy of its purpose.
