Maharashtra Government Bold Move: Rs 37,000 Crore Approved For 6,000 Km Of Concrete Road Overhaul

The state cabinet has approved a Rs 37,000 crore investment for the concretisation of 6,000 kilometres of roads. This decision was finalised during a cabinet meeting held on Tuesday.

The move comes in response to widespread criticism of the current state of the roads, which are plagued with potholes and poor conditions. Initially, these roads were slated to be asphalted at an estimated cost of Rs 28,500 crore. However, the decision to opt for cement concrete has led to a revised cost of Rs 36,964 crore, which has now been sanctioned by the cabinet.

The concretisation project will be managed by the State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC) over a period of 17 and a half years. The construction will be carried out on an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) basis, with a construction phase lasting two and a half years, followed by a liability period of five years.

The finance department has expressed concerns about the proposal, questioning the necessity of cement concretisation and the overall cost. There are also worries that this project may place a significant financial burden on the state's budget, according to sources.

This decision marks a major investment in the state's infrastructure, aiming to address long-standing issues related to road quality and durability.