Nitin Gadkari defends Mumbai-Pune Expressway, urges tech to catch road defects

Speaking at the 'Festival of Thinkers' organised by Symbiosis International University in Pune, Gadkari said infrastructure must be planned with a long-term vision of 25 to 50 years. Referring to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Gadkari said, '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 added, 'Guess social media is good for quality control,' and said the.

What Happened

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

• He linked better infrastructure with economic growth, jobs, lower poverty, stronger industry and wider market access for farmers, and said projects worth around ₹60,000 crore are planned for Pune.

• He also underlined the need to balance development with environmental protection and sustainable economic growth.

• He stressed the importance of 'knowledge with ethics', saying knowledge must be backed by integrity, quality, reliability and values, and advised students to avoid shortcuts and focus on sustainable success.

Key Details

In July, a landslide hit near Tunnel 2 at the entrance to the Missing Link after heavy rain. Gadkari said modern tools such as drones, artificial intelligence, LiDAR and satellite technology should be used to monitor roads and identify defects early.

• The Union minister also said India's automobile sector has grown significantly because of advances in technology, electric vehicles, alternative fuels and biofuels, and that it has the potential to create large-scale employment and strengthen.

• Better connectivity reduces transportation costs, increases competitiveness of Indian industries and helps farmers access wider markets,' he said.

• 'Roads and infrastructure provide a boost to industry, trade, tourism and employment.

Why It Matters

Recalling the construction of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, he said he had pushed for an eight-lane road keeping future traffic in mind, but later felt an even bigger vision was needed after seeing highways abroad. 'When I saw roads in other countries, I.

• He said infrastructure capacity should be planned by anticipating future demand, and that temporary solutions to present problems should be avoided.

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

What Reports Say

Coverage of the story so far points to:

• Continued reporting by India Today as more details emerge