Mumbai-Pune Expressway’s Missing Link Nears Completion with Maharashtra’s First Cable-Stayed Highway
Mumbai-Pune Expressway's Missing Link Nears Completion with Maharashtra’s First Cable-Stayed Highway
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway is set to become more efficient with the construction of Maharashtra’s first cable-stayed highway, a major infrastructure milestone. This ambitious project includes a 180-meter-tall cable-stayed bridge that will eliminate the need for travelers to navigate the challenging Khandala Ghat section.
With work progressing rapidly, officials are racing to complete a crucial phase before the monsoon season, which poses significant challenges to construction. Once finished, this missing link will reduce the travel distance between Mumbai and Pune by 6 kilometers and help ease congestion in the Lonavala Ghat area.
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) had initially aimed for project completion by December, but delays have pushed the timeline further. Recently, Public Works Minister Meghna Sakore-Bordikar visited the site, urging for the project’s expedited completion.
The project features two four-lane tunnels connecting the Khopoli exit to Kusgaon near Lonavala. The first tunnel spans 8.87 kilometers, while the second is 1.67 kilometers long. Impressively, 98% of the tunneling work is already complete.
Constructing a cable-stayed bridge in the rugged Sahyadri mountains has posed significant engineering challenges. In 2024, work on the 180-meter-high bridge in the Khandala valley was affected by monsoon-related difficulties. To avoid further delays, efforts are being made to complete this phase before the rainy season returns.
Currently, the overall project is 90% complete, with final completion expected by August 2025. Once operational, the missing link will not only shorten the travel distance but also cut travel time between Mumbai and Pune by approximately 30 minutes.
