Speaking during a discussion on the development of Mumbai and its satellite cities, the Chief Minister accused Opposition leaders of spreading misinformation after heavy rainfall triggered a landslide on the recently inaugurated ₹7,000-crore infrastructure project. The incident had disrupted traffic for nearly 18 hours, prompting allegations that the project suffered from structural flaws and financial irregularities.

CM Rejects Corruption Allegations

Fadnavis dismissed claims that the landslide reflected poor construction quality, stating that the main structure of the expressway remained completely safe.

According to him, continuous heavy rainfall caused debris from a nearby hill to fall onto an outer arch of the structure, which was damaged by the impact. He clarified that the tunnel itself suffered no cracks and that all integrated safety systems functioned as designed.

The Chief Minister said emergency response teams acted immediately after the incident. Heavy cranes reached the site within minutes, and authorities cleared the debris and restored traffic within 18 hours.

‘Project Will Stand for Decades’

Responding to criticism on social media, Fadnavis said he had become "abuse-proof" after years in public life.

He remarked that while political opponents were free to criticise him personally, they should refrain from defaming Maharashtra. He expressed confidence that the Mumbai-Pune Missing Link would continue serving the public for decades and remain a landmark infrastructure project.

The Chief Minister also alleged that the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government had shelved the project by citing multiple reasons why it could not be executed, adding that the present government took the political and administrative decisions necessary to complete it.

Engineering Achievement Highlighted

Fadnavis described the Missing Link as one of India's most ambitious road infrastructure projects.

He noted that the route includes India's tallest cable-stayed bridge and some of the world's widest twin tunnels, designed to bypass the accident-prone old Mumbai-Pune ghat section and significantly reduce travel time.

He argued that engineering challenges are common in large infrastructure projects and should not be viewed as evidence of failure.

Konkan Railway Example

Drawing a comparison with the Konkan Railway, the Chief Minister recalled that the railway line also experienced frequent landslides during its early years.

He said those challenges were gradually overcome through improved engineering solutions, adding that fear of natural hazards should never prevent the execution of transformative infrastructure projects.

Monsoon Relief Measures Reviewed

Fadnavis also briefed the Assembly on the state's response to heavy monsoon rains affecting several districts.

He said areas including Vasai-Virar received exceptionally high rainfall, leading to disruptions in electricity supply and communication networks. Disaster management teams have been deployed to restore essential services, while emergency financial assistance and free food distribution have been arranged for affected residents in the Konkan region.

₹1,032 Crore Savings Claimed

The Chief Minister further announced that shifting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) procurement system to the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal helped cancel inflated tenders worth approximately ₹1,032 crore, resulting in substantial savings for the public exchequer.

Concluding his address, Fadnavis quoted a famous Urdu couplet about courage and perseverance, saying that true leadership requires taking bold decisions despite criticism and challenges.