Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Gadkari says Mumbai-Pune Expressway built 27 years ago still pothole-free
A very important person in India who is in charge of roads and highways gave a speech at a university in Pune.
His name is Nitin Gadkari.
He said the big highway between Mumbai and Pune, which he helped build 27 years ago, still has no potholes.
Potholes are holes in the road that make driving bumpy and unsafe.
He was a little upset because people on social media blamed him when part of a new road project collapsed, even though that project belongs to the state government.
He thinks new technology like drones, satellites, and artificial intelligence can help check roads for problems before they get big.
He also said roads should be planned for the future, maybe 25 to 50 years ahead, not just for today.
He believes better roads help businesses, farmers, and travelers, and create jobs.
He said projects worth about 60,000 crore rupees are planned for the city of Pune.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, built by him 27 years ago, remains pothole-free to date.
Gadkari said he was trolled on social media after a structure at the Missing Link collapsed, despite it being a state government project.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the 13.3-km Missing Link project in May; a landslide hit near Tunnel 2 in July.
Gadkari urged using drones, artificial intelligence, LiDAR and satellite technology to monitor roads and detect defects early.
Gadkari said infrastructure must be planned with a 25-50 year vision and announced projects worth around Rs 60,000 crore for Pune.
- Who
- Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, speaking at the Festival of Thinkers in Pune.
- What
- Gadkari said the Mumbai-Pune Expressway he built 27 years ago remains pothole-free and called for long-term, technology-driven infrastructure planning.
- When
- Monday, August 17 (article dated Aug 17).
- Where
- Pune, at the Festival of Thinkers organised by Symbiosis International University.
- Why
- To discuss infrastructure development, road safety, and the need for futuristic planning and technology in monitoring roads.
Social Media Critics
Nitin Gadkari
Responsibility for Missing Link collapse
Social Media Critics
Critics on social media blamed Gadkari when a structure at the Missing Link collapsed recently.
Nitin Gadkari
Gadkari said the Missing Link is a state government project, not his, and noted that his 27-year-old Mumbai-Pune Expressway remains pothole-free.
- Speaker
- Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways
- Event
- Festival of Thinkers, organised by Symbiosis International University, Pune
- Mumbai-Pune Expressway
- Built 27 years ago by Gadkari; remains pothole-free
- Missing Link project
- 13.3 km long; inaugurated in May by CM Devendra Fadnavis
- Landslide
- Hit near Tunnel 2 of the Missing Link entrance in July after heavy rain
- Pune infrastructure projects
- Around Rs 60,000 crore planned
- Technology for road monitoring
- Drones, AI, LiDAR and satellite technology
- 40-lane road
- Recently constructed between Delhi and Meerut by Gadkari