The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is preparing a proposal for a major expansion of the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, aiming to widen the 95-kilometre corridor from six to ten lanes. The project, estimated at ₹14,260 crore, seeks to reduce chronic congestion and support the rapidly rising inter-city movement between the two metropolitan regions. Officials expect to submit the proposal to the state government shortly, with completion targeted for 2030, subject to timely approvals and contracting.
Traffic volumes on the expressway India’s first access-controlled corridor have risen significantly since its full opening in 2002. Daily vehicle movement now ranges between 80,000 and 100,000, spiking even higher during weekends and public holidays. According to senior MSRDC officials, the widening plan has been accelerated due to persistent bottlenecks, particularly the stretch between the Adoshi tunnel and the Khandala exit. Here, vehicles from the older Mumbai–Pune Highway merge with the expressway, creating frequent choke points.
While an eight-lane expansion was initially considered, planners now believe that a ten-lane configuration will offer longer-term relief and avoid repeated upgrades later. A senior official said the decision reflects “projected demand growth, increased freight activity, and the rise in daily commuting between the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and Pune”.The proposed financing model includes a 40 per cent contribution from the state government, with the remaining 60 per cent expected to be raised by the private partner selected through the tendering process. To support long-term maintenance and cost recovery, MSRDC is also exploring extension of toll collection beyond the current deadline of April 2045.
The expansion proposal also factors in the upcoming “missing link” project a 13.3-kilometre engineering intervention intended to bypass the steep ghat section near Lonavala and Khandala. Featuring two tunnels, including one nearly 9 kilometres long, and a cable-stayed bridge, the new link is expected to open in early 2026. Once operational, it will reduce travel gradients, improve road safety and encourage more vehicles to use the expressway, thereby increasing pressure on existing lanes.
Transport experts note that while widening may ease congestion in the short term, long-term mobility between Mumbai and Pune requires a more balanced approach incorporating rail upgrades, freight diversification and low-emission transport options. They argue that sustainable and inclusive mobility systems must ensure that highway-led development does not compromise environmental goals or marginalise non-motorised users in adjoining towns.Another connectivity improvement underway is the construction of an elevated corridor linking the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) directly to the expressway. With an estimated cost of ₹1,100 crore, this project is expected to be completed by February 2027 and is likely to streamline travel between Navi Mumbai, Mumbai’s eastern districts and the expressway.As the state prepares for one of its largest road investments in recent years, the focus will be on whether the expansion can balance smoother mobility with long-term sustainability and equitable urban development.
