- By Nidhi Giri
- Mon, 06 Jan 2025 08:36 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Pune-Mumbai Expressway: In a major update, the Pune-Mumbai Expressway’s new link road is set to transform the experience for those travelling to the Navi Mumbai International Airport. Pune-Mumbai Expressway’s new link road project is 90 per cent complete and will drastically cut travel time to the Navi Mumbai International Airport by two hours. The new airport is expected to open in April. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) announced that 90 per cent of the missing link road project of the Pune-Mumbai Expressway is complete, with most civil work finished.
According to Rakesh Sonawane, MSRDC’s executive engineer, the link road will reduce travel time between Pune and Mumbai by at least 30 minutes, as per an Indian Express report. The project is progressing swiftly, with a completion deadline of June, Sonawane said. He highlighted the significance of the project for the Navi Mumbai International Airport, which will benefit from quicker access via the Pune-Mumbai Expressway. Despite the urgency, the complexity of the work—including two tunnels and two valley bridges—necessitates careful progress to avoid compromising safety.
Pune-Mumbai Expressway Connectivity To Navi Mumbai Airport
At present, the journey from Pune to Mumbai’s existing international airport is around 160 km and takes approximately four hours. The new Navi Mumbai International Airport, located just 120 km from Pune, will reduce travel time to around two-and-a-half hours. With the addition of Pune-Mumbai Expressway’s new link road bypassing Lonavala town, travel time could drop further to as little as two hours.
Pune-Mumbai Expressway Link Road Highlights
The link road will shorten the Pune-Mumbai Expressway by 6.5 km, bypassing a 19.8-km stretch from Khopoli to Kusgaon. The 13.3-km link road includes:
-1.7 km of tunnels
-Two cable bridges, measuring 840 meters and 650 meters
-An 8.9-km stretch cutting across hills
The Rs 6,595-crore project incorporates advanced safety features such as emergency medical services and an Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS).
Pune-Mumbai Expressway Link Road Will Transform A Busy Corridor
This missing link project aims to eliminate the steep slopes and sharp turns in the Lonavala ghat section, creating a “zero fatality corridor.” Originally slated for completion in 2022, the project faced delays due to the pandemic.
Pune-Mumbai Expressway, constructed two decades ago, has experienced a steady rise in traffic over the years. The missing link project was introduced to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce the growing travel time in the Lonavala ghat section.