Nitin Gadkari Says He Will Skip Mumbai-Goa Expressway Inauguration, Calls Himself 'Ashamed'

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has publicly stated that he feels ashamed of the current condition of the Mumbai-Goa Expressway and will not be present at the highway's scheduled opening ceremony. The minister's remarks mark a stark departure from the usual celebratory tone surrounding major infrastructure projects, and signal serious frustration within the central government over the expressway's stalled progress.

Gadkari reportedly expressed his disappointment during recent interactions with officials and media, stating that the incomplete nature of the project and ongoing delays made it inappropriate for him to formally inaugurate the expressway in its current state. His comments suggest that despite the project being nearly ready for partial operation, certain critical sections remain unfinished or face quality-related concerns.

The Mumbai-Goa Expressway, spanning approximately 290 kilometres through Maharashtra and Goa, has been one of the flagship infrastructure projects championed by the central government. Conceived as a six-lane full-access-controlled expressway, the project was envisioned to reduce travel time between Mumbai and Goa from over eight hours to approximately three hours. However, the project has faced numerous delays attributed to land acquisition disputes, environmental clearance hurdles, and procedural complications involving state governments on both sides.

Political observers noted that Gadkari's decision to skip the inauguration ceremony is unusual for a union minister, as such events are typically treated as important political milestones. The minister's self-described sense of shame indicates that internal assessments of the project may have revealed more significant problems than were previously public. Sources familiar with the matter suggest that engineering quality reviews and completion audits may have contributed to his decision.

Local residents and commuters in both Maharashtra and Goa have expressed mixed feelings — some applauding the minister's candour while others worry that delays could further postpone the benefits of the project for millions of regular travellers.