Pune: Thousands of devotees are expected to travel to Konkan during the 10-day Ganeshotsav, prompting the state public works department (PWD) to direct agencies to implement urgent traffic and safety measures on the Mumbai-Goa highway. Officials will place special focus on Nagothane bridge and the delayed Mangaon and Indapur bypasses.PWD Minister Shivendraraje Bhosale issued these directions during a review meeting with district administration and police officials. The meeting focused on ensuring smooth traffic movement and preventing congestion as the festival begins next week.The Nagothane bridge remains a key concern. Bhosale stated that small vehicles would be allowed to use the bridge during the festival to ease traffic flow. NHAI officials will monitor the bridge daily and implement measures to prevent traffic snarls. Permanent repairs and restoration work will be undertaken after the monsoon once traffic pressure eases.The minister noted that bridges at Sangameshwar, Asal, Pali, and Lanja have now been opened, improving connectivity towards Ratnagiri. PWD-maintained parallel roads will also be repaired and kept motorable so they can be used as diversion routes if congestion develops on the main highway.The Mangaon and Indapur bypass projects, however, continue to face delays, partly due to railway-related work and the need for coordination with the railway department. Bhosale said the Mangaon bypass is expected to be completed by Jan next year, while the Indapur bypass should be finished by April.The Chiplun flyover is also unlikely to be opened during Ganeshotsav because work on its approaches, including soil compaction, is still underway. “Our attempt was to open it during Ganeshotsav, but from a safety perspective, the work cannot be completed in time,” Bhosale said. The flyover is expected to be fully operational by December.The minister stated that the Mumbai-Goa highway project is approximately 90–95% complete, with only specific stretches facing delays. The remaining work, including the Mangaon and Indapur bypasses, is being coordinated by the NHAI, PWD, and other relevant departments.Regarding a bridge that reportedly deteriorated within a year of repairs, Bhosale said that inquiry findings would be submitted to Union minister Nitin Gadkari’s department. An IIT inspection of the bridge has already been conducted. “A decision on action against the officials and the contractor will be taken by Gadkari’s department,” he said.Bhosale also acknowledged concerns over the use of paver blocks on service roads, noting that heavy vehicles could damage them. He said concrete work on stretches in Nagothane and Kolad would be completed once traffic pressure on the main bridge eases. Concrete requires curing time and cannot be opened to traffic immediately after being laid, he added.The department has also directed officials to ensure that water, medical aid, electricity, and sanitation facilities are available along the highway during the festival. Furthermore, internal roads likely to be used as diversions will be repaired and kept motorable before Ganeshotsav begins.Regarding toll collection on incomplete stretches, Bhosale said a proposal to suspend toll collection until the work is finished would be sent to Gadkari following the discussions held during the review meeting.
