• Source:JND

Mumbai-Pune Expressway: Daily commuters and weekend travellers between Mumbai and Pune are set to get relief from frequent traffic jams, especially near Lonavala. The long-pending Mumbai-Pune Expressway missing link project is now in its final stage and is expected to open to the public in the coming months.

The Indian Express report cited a senior official from Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation as stating that, most of the difficult construction work has been completed. Only finishing touches are left. The project faced major engineering challenges as the road cuts through hills and crosses a deep valley, but all key hurdles have now been cleared.

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Mumbai-Pune Expressway: Why The Missing Link Was Needed

At present, the Mumbai–Pune Expressway stretch from Khopoli exit to Sinhgad Institute in Kusgaon is nearly 20 km long and passes through Lonavala. Heavy tourist inflow and a narrow roadway often lead to long traffic snarls, particularly on weekends and holidays.

The missing link has been designed as a non-stop bypass to avoid this congested section.

Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link: Shorter Route Through Tunnels And Bridges

The new alignment will cut the distance down to 13.3 km. It passes through two tunnels measuring 8.9 km and 1.7 km, connected by a viaduct across a deep valley. The project also includes two cable-stayed bridges of 840 metres and 650 metres.

Officials said tunnel work was completed earlier, while the viaduct, considered the most challenging part, has now been finished. Lanes near Khopoli have also been widened to handle increased traffic once the road opens.

Faster Journeys Between Mumbai And Pune

Once operational, the missing link is expected to reduce travel time by 25 to 30 minutes. The current Mumbai–Pune journey, which often stretches beyond 3.5 hours due to congestion, is expected to come down to around 3 hours.

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With the Atal Setu already reducing travel time between Pune and South Mumbai, the new Lonavala bypass could further cut the journey to nearly 2.5 hours.

Mumbai-Pune Expressway: Project Delays And Current Timeline

The Rs 6,595-crore project began in 2019 and was initially scheduled for completion in 2022. Delays occurred due to the Covid-19 pandemic, difficult terrain and heavy monsoon rainfall. MSRDC now expects the project to be completed by March 2026.

The new road will shorten the Mumbai-Pune distance by over 6 km, help save fuel, and include one of Asia’s widest tunnels with four lanes and an emergency lane.


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