Mumabi-Pune Expressway Update: The Missing Link project on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is likely to be delayed and open to the public in September 2025. As per the reports, 96 per cent of the work on the stretch has been completed. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has said that the stretch will reduce the travel time between Mumbai and Pune by 30 minutes.
As per the MSRDC officials, about 9 per cent of the work has been completed. The work on the first viaduct has been completed, but that on the second one, which passes through a valley, is still underway. As monsoon approaches, it would be difficult for the authorities to complete the viaduct work during the season.
Specifications of project
'Missing Link' is a 5.7 km straight stretch, passing through tunnels and viaducts, that would connect the Khopoli exit and Sinhgad Institute, the two points on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
Currently, the e-way is the only route between these two points that passes through the twists and turns of Khandala and Lonavala. Via the e-way, the distance between both points is 19.8 km as of now.
The cost of the project is Rs 6,600 crore, and it will show some intriguing construction marvels like a viaduct of 840 metres and a tunnel of 1.75 km.
Among other components are, 650-metre cable-stayed bridge that is 180 metres above the Khandala Valley and an 8.9 km tunnel, part of which runs below Lonavala Lake.
The 23.30 metre-wide tunnels are Asia's widest and will feature four lanes and an emergency lane
The project started in March 2019 and was scheduled to be completed by March 2024. However, it was initially delayed to January 2025 and then to March 2025 before the latest push till September 2025.