8 July, 2025-In a pressing appeal to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has urged Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to initiate immediate repairs on the Pune-Nashik and Nashik-Mumbai highways, citing deteriorating road conditions and rising public safety concerns.
The request was formally communicated through a letter sent on Monday, wherein Pawar expressed growing alarm over the worsening state of these key arterial routes. He emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive resurfacing and structural maintenance to prevent further damage and to ensure commuter safety.
Both the Pune-Nashik and Nashik-Mumbai highways are critical transport links for Maharashtra, serving as major economic corridors that facilitate the movement of goods and daily commuters between major urban centers. However, over the past several months, several portions of these highways have developed large potholes, cracked surfaces, and drainage issues — resulting in an increasing number of road accidents and long traffic snarls.
According to data from the state traffic department, there has been a 22% rise in accidents along the Nashik-Mumbai stretch in the last four months, with poor road conditions being cited as a key contributing factor. Commuters and transport unions have repeatedly voiced concerns, staging protests and posting visuals of pothole-ridden stretches on social media to demand swift action.
Ajit Pawar, in his letter, highlighted the strategic and economic significance of these roads. He wrote, “These highways are vital links that connect major urban and industrial clusters. Their poor condition is not just a safety hazard but also severely impacts logistics and trade.”
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which oversees the maintenance of these stretches, has come under criticism for delayed repairs and inadequate maintenance. While temporary patchwork has been undertaken in some areas, experts argue that these are insufficient and that a complete overhaul is necessary to ensure long-term durability.
Pawar also stressed the onset of monsoon as a critical factor that could further aggravate the situation. Waterlogging, erosion, and worsening visibility conditions make the highways even more perilous during the rainy season. He requested Minister Gadkari to instruct relevant agencies to undertake high-priority maintenance work using durable materials and modern repair techniques suited for monsoon resilience.
In response to Pawar’s concerns, officials in the Road Transport Ministry have acknowledged the receipt of the letter and stated that the matter is under review. A senior official indicated that inspection teams may soon be dispatched to assess the damage and prepare a restoration roadmap in coordination with the NHAI and state authorities.
The political appeal from Ajit Pawar also underscores the increasing pressure on public infrastructure in Maharashtra, especially as industrial activity rebounds and vehicular traffic returns to pre-pandemic levels. Experts say that without timely intervention, the degradation of these critical highways could have a cascading impact on regional commerce, public transport, and emergency services.
As stakeholders await the Centre’s decision, the focus remains on whether swift and sustained repair measures will be implemented to restore commuter confidence and road safety across Maharashtra’s key highway corridors.
