The long-awaited concreting of the Panvel to Indapur stretch of the Mumbai-Goa National Highway No. 66 (formerly NH 17) is progressing as planned for completion. This 84.6-kilometre segment, under the jurisdiction of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), is expected to improve connectivity between Mumbai and Goa once finished. Initially, the project was awarded to Supreme Panvel Indapur Tollways, but the contract was terminated on 17 November 2021 due to the contractor’s failure to meet deadlines. In response, NHAI divided the work into two phases to expedite progress, addressing challenges such as heavy rainfall in the Konkan and Raigad regions.

Phase 1: Panvel to Kasu (42.3 km) The first phase, covering the stretch from Panvel to Kasu, was awarded to JM Mhatre Infra on 31 January 2023. The project commenced on 29 March 2023, with an estimated cost of Rs 1.51 billion. The main road concreting has been completed, with the exception of one vehicular underpass (VUP). The service road concreting is also finished, and the remaining minor works are expected to be completed soon.

Phase 2: Kasu to Indapur (42.3 km to 84.6 km) The second phase of the project, covering the stretch from Kasu to Indapur, is being executed by Kalyan Toll Infra. with a project cost of Rs 3.32 billion. The appointed date for this section was 18 November 2022. As of now, 30 km of the 42.3 km stretch has been concreted. The contractor has been maintaining the road in traffic-worthy condition, with plans to complete the remaining work by June 2025. This upgrade is expected to greatly improve the safety and efficiency of travel between Mumbai and Goa. The smoother, more durable surface will reduce travel time, benefiting both commuters and transporters. Additionally, the upgrade will address growing traffic demands and provide safer passage for vehicles traveling through the region.

News source: Urban Acres