'Defame Me, Not Maharashtra': CM Devendra Fadnavis Defends Mumbai-Pune Missing Link, Hits Out at Critics in Assembly
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday launched a strong defence of the Mumbai-Pune Missing Link project in the Legislative Assembly, dismissing allegations of corruption and poor construction after a recent landslide disrupted traffic on the newly inaugurated route. During a debate on the development of Mumbai and its satellite cities, the Chief Minister accused the Opposition and sections of social media of spreading misinformation and attempting to tarnish Maharashtra's image.
Referring to criticism following the landslide, Fadnavis alleged that false narratives were being circulated for political reasons. He claimed that some people were being paid to spread misleading information about the Missing Link project on social media and criticised what he described as organised campaigns targeting the state government.
The Chief Minister also took a personal swipe at online critics, saying he had become accustomed to political attacks over the years. He remarked, "Abuse Devendra Fadnavis, that is fine. I am used to it; I am abuse-proof." He further warned against attempts to damage the state's reputation, stating, "Defame me all you want, but if you defame Maharashtra, I will not spare anyone."
Defending the engineering quality of the Missing Link project, Fadnavis clarified that the recent disruption was caused after heavy rainfall triggered a landslide, sending mountain debris onto an outer arch of the structure. He maintained that the bridge and tunnel remained structurally sound and that there were no cracks in the main infrastructure.
According to the Chief Minister, the tunnel's integrated safety mechanisms functioned immediately after the incident, allowing emergency teams to respond within minutes. He said heavy machinery was deployed promptly and the affected stretch was cleared and reopened to traffic within approximately 18 hours.
Fadnavis also accused the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government of abandoning the project during its tenure. He claimed the earlier administration had cited several reasons for not proceeding with the Missing Link before the present Mahayuti government revived and completed it.
Highlighting the project's significance, he said the route includes India's tallest cable-stayed bridge and one of the world's widest twin road tunnels, providing motorists with a safer alternative to the accident-prone ghat section on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
Drawing a comparison with the Konkan Railway, the Chief Minister said large infrastructure projects often face natural challenges during their initial years. He noted that repeated landslides had affected the railway after its inauguration but engineering improvements eventually addressed those issues, allowing it to become one of the country's most significant transport networks.
During his address, Fadnavis also reviewed the government's response to the ongoing monsoon situation across Maharashtra. He said districts in the Konkan region had received exceptionally heavy rainfall, with Vasai-Virar recording 772 mm of rain in 72 hours. He added that emergency funds had been released, disaster management teams were restoring essential services and free food distribution had begun in the worst-affected areas.
The Chief Minister further announced that shifting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's procurement system to the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal had resulted in the cancellation of inflated tenders worth ₹1,032 crore, generating significant savings for the state.
Concluding his speech, Fadnavis quoted an Urdu couplet on courage and perseverance, saying major infrastructure projects require determination despite criticism and political opposition.
