Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday expressed regret that he was criticised on social media for the landslide on the Missing Link section of the Pune-Mumbai Expressway earlier this year, even though the project was executed by the Maharashtra government.
Gadkari was speaking at the ‘Festival of Thinkers’ lecture series organised by Symbiosis International University.
"I built the Pune–Mumbai Expressway 27 years ago, and even today its surface remains in such good condition that there are no potholes. Yet the media offers no recognition for the expressway’s excellent state. However, when an issue arose on the Missing Link section, I was subjected to trolling and criticism on social media. In fact, it was the Maharashtra government that constructed the Missing Link," Gadkari said.
He noted that social media is also crucial for promoting accountability and pressuring officials to uphold high standards in infrastructure projects.
Gadkari stated that he had intended to build the Missing Link during the initial construction of the expressway, but the forest department did not approve the project at that time.
The Missing Link, constructed at a cost exceeding ₹6,600 crore, was inaugurated on May 1 to shorten travel time between Pune and Mumbai. In early July, a landslide caused by intense and persistent rainfall obstructed traffic along the route. Opposition leaders later condemned the state government, questioning the quality of the project’s construction.
Gadkari stated that projects should be designed with a long-term perspective of 25 to 50 years instead of focusing solely on current needs.
Rather than depending on short-term fixes to tackle current challenges, infrastructure development should be built for long term perspective.
Gadkari stated that strong infrastructure would greatly stimulate industry, trade, tourism, and job creation.
Reduced transportation expenses would enhance the global competitiveness of Indian businesses, while improved road networks would expand farmers’ access to markets, link rural regions more closely with the broader economy, and generate fresh prospects for industrial growth and employment.
Gadkari also underscored the expansion of India’s automobile industry, crediting its growth to technological progress, research, electric vehicles, alternative fuels, and biofuels.
Gadkari stated that infrastructure projects valued at around ₹60,000 crore are scheduled for Pune city in the near future. He concluded by noting that innovative financing models are being examined and put into practice to carry out these projects.
