Mumbai-Pune Expressway ‘Missing Link’ Opening Delayed Further, Now Expected by September 2025, Promising Faster and Safer Travel
Mumbai-Pune Expressway ‘Missing Link’ Opening Delayed Further, Now Expected by September 2025, Promising Faster and Safer Travel
Project 96% complete; travel time between cities to reduce by 30 minutes
The much-anticipated ‘Missing Link’ project on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is nearing completion and is expected to be operational by September 2025. The 13.3-kilometre stretch, developed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), promises to slash travel time between the two cities by approximately 30 minutes, providing a faster, safer alternative for commuters.
The new alignment will shorten the current 19.8-kilometre route between the Khopoli exit and Sinhgad Institute by 5.7 kilometres. Once operational, vehicles will be able to maintain speeds of up to 120kmph, offering a significant upgrade to the existing ghat section, known for its steep slopes and sharp turns.
According to MSRDC officials, about 96% of the work is complete. However, construction of the second viaduct, spanning a valley remains a challenge. “Although the tunnels and the first viaduct are ready, the second viaduct is still under construction,” a senior MSRDC official said. The upcoming monsoon season may further impact progress along this difficult stretch, they added.
The Rs6,600-crore project includes several engineering marvels:
- An 840-metre viaduct
- A 1.75-kilometre tunnel
- A 650-metre cable-stayed bridge soaring 180 metres above the Khandala Valley
- An 8.9-kilometre-long second tunnel, parts of which run 170 feet below Lonavala lake
The tunnels, which are Asia’s widest at 23.30 metres, will feature four lanes and an emergency lane each. This new route will bypass the accident-prone ghat section, aiming to make the expressway a “zero-fatality corridor” and address recurring traffic jams caused by falling debris during monsoons.
Despite the complexity, officials confirmed that construction has not disrupted regular traffic on the existing expressway, one of India’s busiest highways. Toll charges will remain unchanged for now, though rates are scheduled for revision every three years. The toll collection period, initially ending in 2030, will be extended, with the final decision pending from the state government.
The project, which began in March 2019, was initially slated for completion in March 2024. However, it faced multiple delays, pushing the deadline first to January 2025, then to March 2025, and now to September 2025.
In addition to the new bypass, two additional bridges near Khopoli are being constructed to link the tunnels to the expressway. Importantly, while the new stretch will handle most traffic, vehicles carrying hazardous materials will continue to use the older ghat road.
Once inaugurated, the missing link is expected to significantly ease congestion, boost safety, and improve overall connectivity between Mumbai and Pune.
