Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is set to transform the Mumbai–Pune Expressway into a 10-lane superhighway, aiming to ease growing traffic congestion and meet future travel demands on one of India’s busiest transport corridors. With an estimated investment of ₹14,260 crore, the project promises to significantly boost capacity, cut travel times, and support sustainable mobility between the two economic hubs.
Currently, the expressway, India’s first access-controlled highway, spans 94.6 kilometres, connecting Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai to Kiwale near Pune. It carries around 65,000 vehicles daily on weekdays, with numbers exceeding 100,000 during weekends. This surge, combined with a steady annual vehicle growth rate of 5–6 percent, has placed immense pressure on the existing six-lane infrastructure, especially during peak travel periods. The MSRDC’s proposal to widen the expressway to ten lanes marks a substantial upgrade from the previously planned eight-lane expansion. The detailed project report (DPR) is nearing completion and will soon be submitted for government approval. Unlike traditional funding mechanisms, the MSRDC intends to finance the project through toll revenues, leveraging its current toll collection rights valid until 2045. Extensions to these rights are expected to ensure the financial sustainability of the project.
Traffic delays on weekends and holidays have long been a frustration for commuters, often stretching the usual two-hour journey well beyond acceptable limits. The planned expansion is expected to dramatically improve travel reliability and reduce congestion, benefiting not just daily commuters but also freight movement, regional tourism, and economic activities along the corridor. Work is already underway on a crucial 13-kilometre “missing link” in the Khandala Ghat section designed for ten lanes, while the new proposal will cover the remaining 67 kilometres of the expressway. Importantly, the MSRDC foresees minimal land acquisition challenges, as it already holds adjacent land along most of the route, with limited additional parcels required near tunnel zones.
Local representatives have welcomed the initiative, highlighting the long-standing need for better infrastructure to support the growing commuter base. Frequent travellers have urged for prompt approval and phased implementation to avoid exacerbating traffic issues during construction. Though the final financing structure—whether through Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) or annuity models—remains undecided, the MSRDC is confident that toll-backed revenue will underpin the project’s viability. Once completed, the Mumbai–Pune superhighway will stand as a landmark example of India’s evolving road infrastructure, blending economic connectivity with forward-looking, low-emission transit solutions.
In line with Maharashtra’s sustainability goals, the upgrade offers a timely opportunity to incorporate green infrastructure elements such as electric vehicle charging stations, smart tolling, and noise barriers. These features will contribute to reducing the corridor’s carbon footprint and enhancing its resilience to climate challenges, aligning with the vision for equitable and eco-friendly urban mobility in the region.
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