Mumbai–Pune Expressway missing link 98% complete; inauguration likely on May 1

Pune: The long-delayed "missing link" project on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway is now 98% complete, with the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) aiming to inaugurate the stretch on May 1 — Maharashtra Day.

Senior MSRDC officials confirmed on Tuesday that the April 30 deadline for civil works remains unchanged. Replying to a starred question in the legislative assembly last Thursday, deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde stated in a written reply that the revised deadline would be met. He noted that the earlier Dec target was missed due to geographical and technical challenges but emphasised that the project is now in its final stages. Shinde added that traffic will only be allowed once all mandated safety standards and load tests are satisfied.

MSRDC officials reiterated there will be no further extensions. "As of March 3, only about 2% of the work remains. The Pune-bound corridor is already complete, and only six metres of work is pending on the Mumbai-bound corridor," an official said. Trial runs and final safety clearances are scheduled for late April.

The project's urgency was highlighted by a major accident in early Feb, when a tanker carrying highly inflammable propylene gas overturned near Khopoli. The ensuing 32-hour traffic suspension caused 20-km queues, leaving thousands of commuters stranded without food or water. The incident sparked renewed calls to expedite the missing link to provide a safer, alternative route.

The Rs 6,695-crore project, which connects Khopoli to Kusgaon, is designed to bypass the steep, winding Khandala-Lonavala ghat section — a chronic bottleneck. By shortening the existing 19.8-km stretch by over 6 km, the link is expected to reduce travel time between the two cities by 25 to 30 minutes.

The project begins with a 900-metre viaduct at Khopoli, about 60 metres above ground, leading into a 1.64-km tunnel. It then spans Tiger Valley through a 650-metre cable-stayed bridge supported by two 180-metre pylons — considered India's tallest road cable-stayed bridge — being executed by Afcons Infrastructure Ltd.

The alignment then enters a nearly 9-km tunnel that emerges at Kusgaon on the Pune side. This new four-lane corridor provides an additional lane of capacity compared to the existing ghat section.

Highway police expect a significant shift in traffic patterns once the link opens. "Light motor vehicles, which make up a large share of expressway traffic, are expected to move to the new alignment," a highway police official said. "Commuters traveling from Pune to Mumbai will likely see the biggest benefit, as they will no longer be stuck behind heavy trucks struggling on the uphill ghat stretches."

Beyond daily commuting, the missing link will serve as a vital diversion during emergencies, offering a high-speed alternative to the old Mumbai–Pune highway.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Holi wishes, messages and quotes !