Pune-Mumbai Expressway ‘Missing Link’ Tunnel Completed, Cable-Stayed Bridge Faces 5-Month Delay Due To Weather
Pune-Mumbai Expressway 'Missing Link' Tunnel Completed, Cable-Stayed Bridge Faces 5-Month Delay Due To Weather
Pune, June 6 – The tunnel work on the much-anticipated ‘Missing Link’ project on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway has been completed. However, motorists will have to wait at least another five months for the project to open fully, as work on the cable-stayed bridge in the Tiger Valley section is still underway. Authorities have cited heavy rains and strong winds as the main reasons for the delay.
The ‘Missing Link’ includes a 13-kilometre-long tunnel, which is now fully constructed. But the adjoining cable-stayed bridge, being built over the deep Tiger Valley, remains incomplete. While the superstructure of the bridge has been finished, the work of installing the cables is still pending. The bridge is being constructed at an elevation of approximately 132 feet from the ground. Due to adverse weather conditions, particularly the strong valley winds and ongoing rain, workers are facing significant challenges, leading to slower progress.
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) had earlier set August 25 as the target date for completing the entire ‘Missing Link’ project. That deadline has now been extended to November 25. The project has two major components: the tunnel and the cable-stayed bridge. With the tunnel now finished, only the bridge work remains.
Once completed, the ‘Missing Link’ is expected to reduce travel time between Pune and Mumbai by at least 25 minutes. The overall project cost is estimated to be around ₹6,695 crore.
Key Benefits of the ‘Missing Link’ Project:
- Travel time between Pune and Mumbai will reduce by approximately 25 minutes.
- Sharp curves on the current ghat section will be minimized, reducing the risk of accidents.
- Tunnel and bridge infrastructure will make road travel more direct and efficient.
- Traffic congestion in the ghat section is expected to decrease significantly.
“The tunnel work on the ‘Missing Link’ has been completed. However, the bridge work in the valley is progressing under challenging conditions. Rain and strong winds are causing delays, but we are committed to completing the work within the revised timeline.” – Rajesh Patil, Joint Managing Director, MSRDC, Mumbai.
