# Mumbai-Goa highway cost jumps 48% to Rs 16,909 crore 2026-09-19T01:28:21+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets The cost of four-laning 355 km of NH-66 in Maharashtra has jumped 48% to Rs 16,909.22 crore, according to RTI data obtained by activist Jeetendra Ghadge. The original sanctioned cost was Rs 11,409.14 crore. Rs 11,577 crore has already been spent, even though stretches remain unfinished. The sharpest increase is on the Parshuram Ghat-Arawali package, whose cost rose 126% from Rs 983 crore to Rs 2,226 crore. The project has faced delays since 2011 due to land acquisition, clearances and contractor issues. In January 2024, the Bombay High Court noted the delay caused hardship and added to costs. The revised completion target is June 2026. Both TOI and ET report that the contrast with the Samruddhi Mahamarg, a 701-km expressway completed in phases by December 2022, highlights the prolonged delay. Ghadge questioned accountability, saying the government must answer who is responsible for the nearly 15-year delay. ## Indian Opinion Analysis Both sources report the same RTI figures with neutral framing. TOI leads with the human cost: Konkan commuters waiting 15 years and the Ganeshotsav travel nightmare. ET leads with the financial figures and adds agency details (NHAI vs PWD) earlier. Neither source is critical of the government, both report the official reasons for delay without challenge. The Bombay High Court observation is the only independent scrutiny cited. The balanced reading is that the story is straight cost-escalation reporting. The next milestone is June 2026 for the remaining 20 km. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) Leads with commuter impact and RTI activist quote, but reports official reasons without challenge - economictimes.indiatimes.com (neutral report) Leads with cost figures, adds agency details, includes activist quote and court observation Tags: Bombay High Court, Jeetendra Ghadge, Maharashtra PWD, NH 66, NHAI, RTI Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/mumbai-goa-highway-cost-jumps-48-to-rs-16909-crore-rti-shows/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/mumbai-goa-highway-cost-jumps-48-to-rs-16909-crore-rti-shows/#story-in-brief