The tunnel built under the Missing Link project on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway has been recognised as the world’s widest underground tunnel by Guinness World Records, with a width of 22.33 metres. The certificate was presented to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during a Maharashtra Day event. The project, developed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), is designed to reduce travel time and improve safety along the busy corridor.
The Missing Link project, recently opened to the public, is expected to ease congestion, particularly in the ghat section of the expressway. It forms a key part of infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving connectivity between Mumbai and Pune.
However, the expressway witnessed heavy traffic congestion on Maharashtra Day, especially on the Pune-bound lane, as a large number of travellers headed out during the long weekend. Despite the inauguration of the project, commuters reported long delays and slow-moving traffic across several stretches.
The situation triggered criticism on social media, with many users questioning traffic management and pointing out that the new infrastructure did not provide immediate relief. Authorities maintain that the project will offer long-term benefits, even as short-term congestion challenges continue during peak travel periods.
The Missing Link, as the project has been officially, almost poetically, named, is a 13.3-kilometre corridor developed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation that connects Khopoli on the Mumbai side directly to Kusgaon near Lonavala, bypassing the ghat section entirely. Built by Afcons Infrastructure at a cost of ₹6,695 crore over more than a decade, it cuts travel distance by 6 kilometres and journey time by up to 30 minutes. No additional toll will be charged.