Mumbai-Pune Expressway to Become 8-Lane Corridor; ‘Missing Link’ Project Nears Final Stage
Mumbai-Pune Expressway to Become 8-Lane Corridor; 'Missing Link' Project Nears Final Stage
Work on the Missing Link project of the Pune-Mumbai Expressway is progressing at a rapid pace. As this crucial project nears completion, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has initiated a new expansion plan to widen the expressway on the remaining stretch. The expressway, currently six lanes wide, will soon be upgraded to eight lanes to accommodate increasing traffic.
To carry out the eight-laning of approximately 70 kilometers of the expressway, around 100 hectares of land will be required. A proposal for land acquisition and expansion has already been submitted to the government and is currently awaiting approval. Once sanctioned, this project will significantly boost the expressway’s capacity and improve traffic flow.
The Pune-Mumbai Expressway sees heavy traffic daily, with thousands of vehicles commuting between the two cities. With traffic volumes continuously rising, the expansion from six to eight lanes has become a necessity.
Spanning a total of 94 kilometers, the expressway includes the 13.3-kilometer-long Missing Link—an alternative route between Khopoli Exit and Kusgaon. This project features two tunnels, one 1.67 kilometers long and the other 8.92 kilometers, both of which are now complete. Additionally, construction on what is set to become Asia’s largest bridge is progressing swiftly as part of this project.
The stretch between Khalapur Toll and Khopoli Exit is already being widened to eight lanes. Building on this, MSRDC has proposed to extend the eight-lane upgrade from Urse Toll Naka onward, ensuring the entire expressway offers a seamless, high-speed travel experience. The expansion proposal is currently under review by the state government, with approval expected to accelerate the next phase of development.
