Pune, 8th April 2026: The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has begun load testing on the much-awaited missing link of the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, indicating that the project has entered its final stage before inauguration.
Officials said the work is nearly complete, with only finishing touches remaining, and the entire stretch is expected to be ready by the end of April.
The 13.3-kilometre project between Khopoli and Kusgaon has been designed to address long-standing traffic congestion, particularly in the Khandala ghat section.
Once operational, it will reduce the travel distance by 6 kilometres and cut journey time by 25 to 30 minutes, benefiting over 1.5 lakh daily commuters while also lowering fuel consumption and emissions.
A key highlight of the project is a 650-metre-long cable-stayed bridge, which will be among the tallest road bridges of its kind in India. The structure features pylons rising up to 182 metres, surpassing the height of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link pylons.
In addition, the project includes an 850-metre-long viaduct and two major tunnels measuring 1.68 kilometres and 8.87 kilometres, respectively.
The expressway upgrade also involves 10.2 kilometres of approach roads and widening of 5.86 kilometres of the existing stretch. Built at an estimated cost of ₹6,695 crore, the project aims to improve traffic flow and safety in a section that currently handles heavy congestion due to the merging of the Mumbai–Pune Expressway and National Highway 4 near Khalapur and Khandala.
Authorities have planned a phased opening of the new stretch. Initially, only light vehicles will be allowed for the first three months. Heavy and passenger vehicles will be permitted in the following three months, after which traffic patterns will be reviewed before allowing commercial vehicles.
Restrictions will also be in place for safety reasons. Vehicles carrying combustible materials such as petrol, diesel, LPG, CNG, and other chemicals will not be allowed to use the missing link.
Currently, the existing expressway and NH-4 merge traffic into a narrower stretch near the ghat section, leading to frequent congestion, slower speeds, and a higher risk of accidents. The new alignment is expected to ease this bottleneck, providing a safer and faster commute on one of Maharashtra’s most critical transport corridors.
