The long-awaited Mumbai-Pune Expressway missing link is set to open by May, giving commuters much-needed relief. Developed by MSRDC, the new stretch will bypass the accident-prone ghat section, ease congestion, cut travel time by around 30 minutes, and provide a faster, smoother, toll-free journey.
Just days ago, a massive traffic jam on the expressway sparked widespread criticism from commuters over delays in clearing the congestion. The project includes two tunnels, 1.68 km and 8.87 km long and 23 metres wide among the world’s widest built by Navayuga Engineering Company, along with two cable-stayed bridges of 650 m and 950 m constructed by Afcons Infrastructure.
An MSRDC official said work to join the two segments of the cable-stayed bridge is underway and should finish in the coming weeks, with the entire stretch expected to open to the public by April or May.
Key Features of the Missing Link:
13.3 km – Length of expressway between Khopoli exit and Kusgaon
19 km – Distance between Lonavala and Khopoli exit
1.68 km – Length of Tunnel I
8.87 km – Length of Tunnel II
23.5 m – Width of each tunnel
1.6 km – Combined length of both viaducts
184 m – Height of tallest cable-stayed bridge pylon
6 km – Distance saved thanks to the new stretch
30 min – Time saved by bypassing the ghat section
180 m – Depth at which tunnel passes below Lonavala Lake
5.86 km – Length of expressway being widened as part of the project
The new stretch promises significant advantages for commuters, including time and energy savings, improved safety, and smoother travel thanks to its flat gradient. It ensures seamless traffic flow, prevents bottlenecks at toll plazas, and restricts access for tankers and trucks carrying inflammable materials or gas, enhancing overall road safety.
Before January 2026, the MSRDC had announced several target dates for completing the project. Initially, the completion was scheduled for March 2024, which was later revised to January 2025. The timeline was then advanced to March 2025, subsequently pushed to September 2025, and finally set for December 2025.
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway missing link incorporates cutting-edge technology to ensure safety and efficiency. This includes cable bridge models tested abroad, water mist and fire hydrant systems in tunnels, SCADA software, intelligent traffic management, SOS and emergency systems, surveillance cameras, fire and heat detectors, voice evacuation, and advanced tunnel ventilation. Construction innovations include the Doka formwork system for 180-m pylons, cantilever form travellers for deck slabs, ultra-high-performance fibre-reinforced concrete girders, and epoxy asphalt modified concrete.