Mumbai-Pune Expressway built 27 years ago by me remains pothole-free: Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday said the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, which was constructed 27 years ago during his tenure, remains pothole-free to this day.

"I built the Mumbai-Pune Expressway 27 years ago. It's still pothole-free, but nobody writes about it. However, when (a structure) at the missing link collapsed recently, I got trolled on social media, despite it being a state government project," he said in a lighter vein while addressing the 'Festival of Thinkers' organised by Symbiosis International University in Pune.

"Guess social media is good for quality control," the BJP MP said, adding that the forest department didn't grant permission to construct the missing link then.


In May, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the much-awaited 13.3-km-long “Missing Link” project on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. The project aims to bypass the steep mountain pass section, improve road safety and reduce travel distance between Mumbai and Pune.

However, in July, a landslide occurred near Tunnel 2 at the entrance of the Missing Link following heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, emphasising the role of technology in infrastructure management, Gadkari said modern tools such as drones, artificial intelligence, LiDAR and satellite technology should be used to monitor roads and identify defects before they become major issues.

Recalling his experience on building the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Gadkari said he had pushed for an eight-lane road considering future traffic requirements, but later felt that a bigger vision was needed after seeing highways abroad.

"When I saw roads in other countries, I thought we should have planned at least a 40-lane road. Recently, I constructed a 40-lane road between Delhi and Meerut," he said.

He also added that infrastructure development must be planned with a long-term vision of 25 to 50 years instead of addressing only present-day requirements.

He said infrastructure development is the foundation for economic growth and plays a crucial role in generating employment and reducing poverty.

Gadkari highlighted the link between infrastructure, technology, research, innovation and economic development.

Describing "knowledge to wealth" as an important pathway for India's future growth, he stressed the need to promote research, entrepreneurship, skill development and technological advancement.

Gadkari added that infrastructure capacity should be planned by anticipating future requirements, noting that temporary solutions to current problems should be avoided and projects must be designed with a futuristic approach.

"Roads and infrastructure provide a boost to industry, trade, tourism and employment. Better connectivity reduces transportation costs, increases competitiveness of Indian industries and helps farmers access wider markets," he said.

The Union minister further said India's automobile sector has witnessed significant growth due to advancements in technology, electric vehicles, alternative fuels and biofuels.

The sector has significant potential to generate large-scale employment and boost India’s exports, Gadkari said.

He also emphasised the importance of “knowledge with ethics”, saying knowledge must be backed by integrity, quality, reliability and strong values. Gadkari urged students to avoid shortcuts and focus on achieving sustainable success.

He further stressed the need to balance development with environmental protection and sustainable economic growth.

Rs 60,000 crore infrastructure push for Pune

On Pune’s infrastructure development, Gadkari said projects worth around Rs 60,000 crore are planned for the city in the coming years.

He said innovative financing models are being explored to implement these projects and added that a futuristic approach would be crucial to address Pune’s growing infrastructure needs.