The Mumbai-Pune Expressway is nearing completion and is slated to open by December this year, promising a significant enhancement in travel efficiency and safety for lakhs of commuters. This vital link will enable motorists to bypass the notoriously congested and accident-prone Lonavala-Khandala ghat section, a perennial bottleneck on one of India’s busiest highways. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), overseeing the project, confirms construction is in its final stages, marking a substantial step towards sustainable and safer urban connectivity.
The existing 19-kilometre stretch between Khopoli and the Sinhgad Institute, currently necessitates navigating winding ghat roads. This segment is particularly challenging for motorists, contributing to frequent traffic snarls and a concerning number of accidents. In 2024 alone, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, which handles an average of 75,000 vehicles daily—surging to 1.2 lakh on weekends—recorded 191 accidents. This alarming statistic underscored the urgent need for infrastructure intervention to decongest traffic and enhance safety. The new connector directly addresses this, aiming to transform the commute into a far safer and more predictable journey.
The current design of the ghat section funnels six lanes of the Expressway and four lanes of the old Mumbai-Bengaluru highway (NH-4) into a restrictive six-lane choke point. This drastic reduction in road width at a critical juncture is a primary cause of congestion and vehicular incidents. Once operational, the 13-kilometre connector, originating at Khopoli and terminating near the Sinhgad Institute in Pune, will effectively reroute vehicles, allowing them to bypass this entire bottleneck. This bypass is expected to dramatically cut travel time and significantly mitigate the risks associated with the steep gradients and sharp turns of the ghat.
This infrastructure upgrade is particularly timely given the anticipated surge in traffic once the Navi Mumbai International Airport becomes operational. The new airport will funnel additional vehicular volume onto the already strained expressway, making the connector an indispensable component of the region’s future-ready transportation network. By reducing travel time and improving safety, the project also contributes to broader goals of eco-friendly and sustainable urban mobility, as smoother traffic flow often translates to reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions.
Furthermore, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway itself is slated for a substantial upgrade, with plans to widen the existing six-lane highway to ten lanes. This ambitious expansion, estimated to cost around ₹14,000 crore, is being spearheaded by MSRDC. A detailed proposal for the widening has been prepared and awaits final approval from the state cabinet. Once sanctioned, construction will commence in phases, promising a future of quicker and safer commutes for the lakhs of individuals who rely on this vital economic artery between Maharashtra’s two largest urban centres. These interconnected projects represent a comprehensive strategy to enhance regional connectivity, bolster economic activity, and foster a more efficient and accident-free transportation corridor for all.
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