The long-delayed Mumbai-Goa Highway project has been postponed again, with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Public Works Department (PWD) announcing a revised deadline of 2027. The delay added to the frustration of commuters, who already face deteriorating road conditions on the existing route. Many travellers are forced to take the longer Satara route to reach Goa.

In September 2024, former PWD Minister Ravindra Chavan expressed optimism about completing the highway within two years but acknowledged challenges, including delays in constructing 14 bridges and service roads.

Initially planned under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) model, the project was divided into 10 construction packages. However, issues such as land acquisition hurdles, forest clearance delays, and poor construction quality have significantly hampered progress.

One of the most anticipated segments of the project is the twin tunnels at Kashedi Ghat, designed to provide a safer passage through the mountainous terrain. According to a PWD official, construction on the tunnels is nearly complete, with plans to inaugurate them on Republic Day, January 26.

The tunnels were briefly opened for Ganeshotsav traffic but were closed again due to water leakage and electrical issues. These problems have sparked political disputes, with leaders blaming administrative inefficiencies for the setbacks.

The highway project has become a political battleground, with successive governments accusing each other of mismanagement. However, with both Maharashtra and Goa now governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), citizens hope for expedited progress.