Mumbai-Pune Expressway Toll Likely to Continue Till 2060 As 10-Lane Expansion Planned
Mumbai-Pune Expressway Toll Likely to Continue Till 2060 As 10-Lane Expansion Planned
MSRDC proposes 15-year extension beyond 2045 to recover project cost; expansion work expected post-monsoon
In a major development for Maharashtra’s busiest highway corridor, toll collection on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway may continue till 2060, as authorities plan a large-scale expansion of the route to 10 lanes.
According to details, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has proposed extending the toll collection period by around 15 years beyond the current deadline of 2045. This extension is being considered to recover the cost of the upcoming expansion and infrastructure upgrades.
The expressway, which has been operational since 2002, was initially expected to become toll-free after the project cost was recovered by 2019. However, the toll collection period was extended first to 2030 and later to 2045 due to additional works such as maintenance, repairs, and the ongoing “missing link” project.
Now, with plans to upgrade the highway from eight lanes to ten lanes, officials say further financial resources will be required. Since budgetary support has not been fully allocated, MSRDC is exploring funding through financial institutions and toll extension.
Senior officials have indicated that the expansion work is expected to begin after the monsoon and will be carried out in phases to avoid major traffic disruptions. The project is likely to be completed within a few years once work begins.
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway currently handles heavy traffic, with around 65,000 vehicles on weekdays and over one lakh vehicles during weekends. With traffic growing steadily every year, authorities say the expansion is necessary to ease congestion and improve travel efficiency.
The project will include widening remaining sections of the expressway to match the already developing 10-lane stretch under the “missing link” project, ensuring a uniform corridor. Most of the required land is already available, which is expected to speed up execution.
However, the proposal to extend toll collection has raised concerns among commuters and experts. Some have questioned the continued toll despite claims that the original construction cost was already recovered years ago, calling for greater transparency in project financing and expenditure.
If approved, commuters on one of India’s most important expressways may have to continue paying toll for another decade and a half, even beyond 2045, making it a long-term financial consideration for regular travellers.
Disclaimer: Final decision on toll extension and project implementation is subject to government approvals and may change.
