HomeInfrastructureMumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link Delay Pushes Completion to August 2025

Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link Delay Pushes Completion to August 2025

Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link Delay Pushes Completion to August 2025

Mumbai-Pune Expressway’s Missing Link Faces Another Delay: New Deadline Set for August 2025

The highly anticipated missing link of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, a vital infrastructure project aimed at easing traffic congestion between Mumbai and Pune, has faced yet another delay. Initially set for completion in March 2024, and later pushed to January 2025, the project is now expected to finish by August 2025, according to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). Despite this setback, 92% of the work has been completed, with only one major challenge left to overcome: the construction of a cable-stayed bridge near Tiger Valley at Lonavala.

This missing link project, which is part of a larger Rs 6,695 crore initiative, aims to connect the stretch between Khopoli and the Sinhgad Institute, shortening the distance by over 6 km and reducing travel time by around 25 minutes. The cable-stayed bridge, with its towering pylons reaching 180 meters in height, is the final hurdle in the project. While much of the groundwork and superstructure of the bridge has been completed, the challenging nature of high-altitude construction, compounded by extreme wind pressure, has contributed to delays in the final stages. The project is being undertaken in two phases. Phase I includes the eight-laning of two tunnels, and Phase II focuses on building viaducts and other essential infrastructure. The tunneling work has already been completed, but progress on the viaduct construction has been slow due to the challenging conditions at nearly 100 metres above sea level. MSRDC Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Anilkumar Gaikwad confirmed that 12.4 km of the 13 km stretch is complete, leaving only the cable-stayed bridge as the final task.

Once completed, the new route is expected to alleviate the heavy traffic congestion that currently plagues the stretch between the Adoshi tunnel and the Khandala exit. This section of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway merges with National Highway 4 (NH-4), contributing to long traffic jams, especially during peak hours. MSRDC anticipates that the new route will carry 85% of the current traffic on the expressway, easing congestion significantly. Despite the progress made, daily commuters have expressed growing frustration over the repeated delays in the project’s completion. The extended timelines have caused inconvenience for those relying on the expressway for daily travel between Mumbai and Pune. However, MSRDC officials have emphasised that safety remains a top priority, particularly given the complex and high-altitude nature of the bridge’s construction. The agency has assured the public that work is being carried out cautiously, with careful attention to the challenges posed by wind pressure and the overall structural integrity of the bridge.

In addition to the project’s completion delay, MSRDC has also announced that the toll collection period for the Mumbai-Pune Expressway will be extended by 15 years. This extension is expected to help cover the costs associated with the project’s delays and additional construction efforts. Meanwhile, MSRDC’s proposal to widen the entire Mumbai-Pune Expressway from six to eight lanes remains pending approval. The Rs 5,000-6,000 crore expansion project is intended to reduce congestion on the expressway, but it faces hurdles such as the acquisition of approximately 100 hectares of land and the high cost of constructing tunnels, estimated at Rs 800 crore. Once approved, the project is expected to take three years to complete, further enhancing the expressway’s capacity to accommodate growing traffic demands.

While delays in infrastructure projects are often met with frustration from commuters and stakeholders, the long-term benefits of these developments cannot be overstated. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway’s missing link, once completed, will dramatically reduce travel time, enhance road safety, and alleviate some of the most significant traffic congestion in the region. Additionally, the widening of the expressway, if approved, will further bolster the state’s transportation network, ensuring smoother commutes for millions of people who rely on this crucial route for both personal and commercial travel. While the Mumbai-Pune Expressway missing link project faces ongoing delays, the completion of this vital infrastructure is expected to bring significant improvements to Maharashtra’s transportation system. As the state moves forward with its expansion plans, the focus will remain on delivering an expressway that meets the demands of a growing population and economy, improving the quality of life for commuters and enhancing the region’s connectivity.

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