The NHAI has put its plan to convert the 98-km stretch of the Agra-Mumbai national highway — between Nashik and Bhiwandi bypass — into a concrete road on hold.
The move will mean that commuters between Nashik and Mumbai will continue to face pothole-related issues on the Ghoti-Igatpuri-Kasara stretch of the highway during monsoon.
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials claim that they will monitor the flow of vehicles on the Nashik-Mumbai stretch of the Samruddhi expressway, slated to open for public early next year, and then take a call on this project.
“After the last phase of Samruddhi from Ghoti to Mumbai is connected by the end of this year, motorists are likely to prefer the expressway. The situation would be gauged then to take necessary action,” said the officer.
In October 2021, Union minister for road transport and highways, Nitin Gadkari had announced the plan to make the highway a concrete one to ensure motorists do not face issues of potholes during monsoon. NHAI officials had also began preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for the same.
NHAI sources said the project is now on hold. “The last phase of the Samruddhi Expressway from Bharvir Khurd towards Mumbai is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Hence, there is a high possibility that motorists to and from Mumbai would use this route to travel between Ghoti to Mumbai,” an official, requesting anonymity, said and added that after the Mumbai-Pune Expressway was constructed, the rush on the old Mumbai-Pune highway came down significantly.
Meanwhile, the 60-km stretch from Pimpalgaon to Gonde of the highway, which passes through through Nashik city, would be made ‘white-top’. Pimpalgaon Sado connects with Bharvir, the Ghoti interchange of the Samruddhi Expressway.
Regarding the issue of potholes on the Mumbai-Agra highway on the stretch between Ghoti-Igatpuri-Kasara, officials said the maintenance of the highway is undertaken by the toll operator at regular intervals.