The much-awaited Mumbai–Pune Expressway Missing Link project, designed to ease congestion and improve safety on one of Maharashtra’s busiest highways, now faces uncertainty over its May 1 inauguration, as disruptions in bitumen supply required for finishing works on its two cable-stayed bridges have slowed progress.
According to Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) officials, tunnelling and road works have been completed and laid with bitumen, while the recently finished cable-stayed bridges are yet to receive their final bitumen layer. Procurement has become difficult over the past fortnight, with prices reportedly rising by over 50% due to disruptions in imports from West Asia, they said, as per a Hindustan Times report.
Officials also noted that supply of light diesel oil used in construction equipment has been affected. While one section of MSRDC acknowledged that the inauguration “may have to be postponed,” another maintained that efforts are on to meet the May 1 deadline, with contractors directed to complete work by April 25 and load testing scheduled by April 30.
The Mumbai–Pune Expressway Missing Link project is a 13.3-km stretch designed to provide an alternate, faster and safer route between Khopoli and Kusgaon, bypassing the existing ghat section, which is prone to accidents and traffic congestion. The project includes two tunnels measuring 8.87 km and 1.68 km, along with two cable-stayed bridges of about 650 metres each.
First conceptualised in 1995, the project aims to reduce travel time and improve safety on one of Maharashtra’s busiest highways. In 2018, work packages were awarded to Navayuga Engineering and Afcons Infrastructure, but progress was later slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Construction of the tunnels and approach roads has been completed, while finishing works on the bridges are currently underway, including final surfacing and ancillary installations.