The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has announced that the “Missing Link” project on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is nearing completion and is expected to be operational by June 2025. This project aims to significantly improve travel between the two cities by reducing congestion, enhancing safety, and shortening the overall distance.
Project Overview
The Missing Link project focuses on constructing two key infrastructure components:
- Package-I: Two eight-lane tunnels, measuring 1.75 km and 8.92 km in length, will bypass congested areas and improve traffic flow.
- Package-II: Two eight-lane viaducts, measuring 790 meters and 650 meters, will further enhance connectivity and reduce travel time.
Addressing Existing Challenges
Currently, traffic from the six-lane expressway and the four-lane NH-4 merges and diverges near the Khalapur Toll Plaza and Khandala exit, creating bottlenecks and increasing travel time. The Missing Link project will bypass these congested areas and eliminate sharp turns in the ghat section, reducing the risk of accidents.
Benefits of the Missing Link
- Reduced Distance: The project will shorten the route by 13 km, bypassing the congested ghat section.
- Time Savings: Travel time between Pune and Mumbai is expected to be reduced by 20-25 minutes.
- Improved Safety: Minimizing congestion and sharp turns will enhance safety for commuters.
- Environmental Benefits: Reduced travel time and smoother traffic flow will contribute to lower fuel consumption and reduced pollution.
Key Infrastructure Highlights
- Asia’s Tallest Cable-Stayed Bridge: A cable-stayed bridge across Tiger Valley is under construction but has faced delays.
- Progress Report: While the tunnels and another bridge are nearing completion, the Tiger Valley bridge is expected to be finished by mid-2025.
Current Status and Completion Timeline
The MSRDC has confirmed that 85% of the Missing Link project is complete. Despite delays with the Tiger Valley bridge, the remaining components are on track to meet the June 2025 deadline.
This ₹6,695 crore project represents a significant investment in improving India’s infrastructure and promises to transform travel between Mumbai and Pune, offering a safer, faster, and more efficient experience for commuters.
