Central Government Expresses Readiness to Execute Kolhapur's Tawde Hotel-to-Shivaji Bridge Project
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced on Wednesday that the central government is more than willing to undertake the proposed Tawde Hotel-to-Shivaji Bridge project in Kolhapur. This critical infrastructure initiative aims to link the Pune-Bengaluru and Ratnagiri highways through Kolhapur city, enhancing regional connectivity and reducing traffic congestion.
Conditions and Clarifications from Gadkari
During the ongoing Parliament session, Gadkari responded to a question raised by BJP's Rajya Sabha MP Dhananjay Mahadik, emphasizing that the Kolhapur civic body must expedite land acquisition and shift utility services to facilitate the project. He highlighted the central government's substantial investments in Kolhapur's road infrastructure, noting that over Rs 25,000 crore has been approved for road development in the district in recent years.
Gadkari detailed specific projects, including a flyover between Shiroli and Uchgaon with an estimated cost of Rs 913 crore and a road project worth Rs 358 crore near Kagal city, many of which are either completed or nearing completion.
Special Recognition for Kolhapur's Achievements
In a special speech in Parliament, Gadkari praised Kolhapur as a world leader in cooperative movements, agriculture, industry, and tourism, and highlighted its leading position in per capita income in India. He acknowledged MP Mahadik's persistent efforts in pursuing the basket bridge project, stating that the design proposed by Mahadik was deemed the best and accepted by the Road Development Corporation, leading to the cancellation of their original design.
MP Mahadik's Contributions and Demands
Earlier, Mahadik expressed gratitude to the central government for allocating significant funds for highway expansions connecting Kolhapur. He outlined major approved projects, such as:
- A six-laning concrete road from Kagal to Satara, approved at Rs 2,162 crore.
- A four-laning concrete road from Kolhapur to Ratnagiri, with works underway worth Rs 5,192 crore.
- A four-laning road from Kolhapur to Sangli, being constructed at Rs 1,192 crore.
On Wednesday, Mahadik also urged the expedited construction of the flyover from Tawde Hotel to Chhatrapati Shivaji Bridge in Kolhapur city. He emphasized that upon completion of the basket bridge for city entry, traffic congestion on the highway is expected to be significantly reduced, improving overall transportation efficiency in the region.
