How Can MSRDC Expedite Works Without Quality Compromise?

Mumbai, May 30 (NationPress) Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has urged the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to accelerate road development initiatives across the state, emphasizing that there will be no compromise on the quality of the projects.

He has instructed the MSRDC to ensure that the ongoing work on the Mumbai-Nashik highway is completed before the monsoon season and warned that strict action will be taken against any officials or contractors who cause delays.

During a high-level meeting, Deputy CM Shinde assessed various significant projects in progress throughout the state, including the 'missing link' on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the Pune Ring Road, the Revas-Reddi Sea Highway in Konkan, and the Shaktipeeth Highway.

As the work on concreting a 31 km stretch of the Mumbai-Nashik highway remains unfinished, orders have been issued to expedite the process.

The construction of the railway overbridge at Pimpri-Charoti is currently halted, and Deputy CM Shinde has mandated its completion within a month, pending the availability of the girder.

If the concreting is not finalized before the monsoon, there is a focus on asphalting to maintain smooth traffic flow.

"The construction of the Vertical Bridge, which represents the most challenging aspect of the 'missing link' project on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, is in full swing. This segment is expected to be completed by the end of December and opened for public use. Additionally, in response to traffic congestion, MSRDC is proposing to expand the existing six lanes to ten lanes, with an estimated cost of Rs 14,900 crore," stated Deputy CM Shinde.

He noted that work is progressing on nine out of twelve segments of the Pune Ring Road.

"In this initiative, 10,000 indigenous trees are being replanted in a scientific manner, with 4,000 trees already relocated successfully. The remaining 5,000 will be planted either in farmers' fields or along the Ring Road. Furthermore, the construction of nine creek bridges on the Revas-Reddi marine highway is ongoing, with most work actively progressing. Of the 86 shelter centers in Konkan, work is underway on 37, and it's been decided to position these centers near schools for dual use post-monsoon," he added.

In light of opposition to the proposed Shaktipeeth Highway connecting Nagpur to Goa through Kolhapur, Latur, and Dharashiv, Deputy CM Shinde has instructed that local concerns be addressed through direct engagement with villagers.

This highway is poised to benefit farmers and residents in 12 districts and is expected to drive significant economic growth similar to the Samruddhi Highway, he remarked.

Shinde also mentioned that the MSRDC's new 'New Mahabaleshwar' project encompasses 294 villages, with plans to attract companies like Dabur and Patanjali for wellness centers and medicinal plant research.

Instructions were issued to accelerate the Utteshwar Temple and Ropeway project in Tapola.

Deputy CM Shinde has urged the MSRDC to engage in slum redevelopment initiatives akin to the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority.

He directed that all ongoing projects be cleared of encroachments, barricades be erected, green spaces developed under bridges, and that all projects be completed promptly and without sacrificing quality.