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Union minister Nitin Gadkari said the ongoing work on the Mumbai-Goa national highway will get over by December this year, which would cut the travel time between these places to four-and-a- half hours and give a huge boost to development in Maharashtra's Konkan region. “The Mumbai to Goa highway stretch has been divided into 10 packages (phases) and road construction activity in all packages, except two, is almost over. Most of the pending construction works on the road and one tunnel will be completed by December this year, the Minister said. By December, the entire stretch will be available for vehicular movement and the distance can be completed in four-and-a-half hours, he said. Gadkari also said that he instructed the officials to conduct road safety audits and put international standard signages for the drivers on the Mumbai- Goa highway. With the help of local educational institutes, three metre tall saplings can be planted on both sides of the highway, he said. As a part of the highway construction, two tunnels are also under construction in the Kashedi ghat region. One tunnel will be open for vehicular traffic before the monsoon season. The construction of the remaining tunnel will be completed by October this year, he said. When asked about the toll, Gadkari said, As per the rules, if 75% of the road construction is completed then toll is charged. People need to pay it. Gadkari said the work on the Mumbai-Goa highway will hugely boost development prospects of the Konkan area. The Mumbai-Goa highway touches 66 tourism spots in Konkan. It will give development a big boost. It will also ensure quick transportation of fruits and other produce the region is famous for, he said. He blamed the contractors, who were given two stretches of the highway for construction in 2011, for the delay. However, all matters are resolved now and the highway, which also connects Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Dighi port, will help in the progress of the country, Gadkari said.