In a move set to transform intercity mobility between two of Maharashtra’s most prominent urban centres, the much-anticipated ‘Missing Link’ of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is now 96 percent complete.
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), the executing authority, has confirmed that the final handover to the public is now expected in September 2025 — marking yet another delay in the ₹6,600 crore infrastructure marvel that was originally due by March 2024. Despite the delay, the project remains a vital piece of the state’s infrastructure upgrade, designed to slash travel time between Mumbai and Pune by an estimated 30 minutes. More crucially, the new alignment bypasses the accident-prone and environmentally sensitive ghat sections of Khandala and Lonavala — a move that is being welcomed by both commuters and environmentalists advocating for safer and more sustainable mobility corridors.
The 5.7-km straight-line corridor, dubbed the Missing Link, connects the Khopoli exit to Sinhgad Institute — two points that currently require a longer 19.8-km journey via winding roads. The new route includes a mix of tunnels and viaducts designed not just for speed but to meet high safety and environmental standards. At the heart of this engineering feat are two major tunnels — one stretching 8.9 km and another 1.75 km — both touted as Asia’s widest at 23.3 metres, featuring four traffic lanes and a dedicated emergency lane. Equally impressive is the 650-metre cable-stayed bridge soaring 180 metres above the Khandala Valley. While the first viaduct has been completed, construction of the second — which cuts through a valley — remains underway and may face seasonal hurdles as the monsoon nears. According to officials, the weather could cause a slowdown in the pace of final construction activities, particularly for elevated structures.
Initiated in March 2019, the project’s multiple deadline extensions raise questions about execution timelines for mega-infrastructure in India. However, MSRDC officials maintain that the delays stem from the sheer scale and complexity of the work, which involves tunnelling below Lonavala Lake and erecting structures in a high-altitude, high-rainfall zone. Still, the project showcases India’s growing ambition in marrying engineering innovation with environmental resilience. Beyond reducing congestion, the Missing Link is poised to create a far-reaching impact in terms of fuel savings, emission cuts, and improved safety. With India pushing for net-zero emissions and sustainable urban growth, such infrastructure investments are essential. Once operational, the stretch will help reduce vehicle idle time and carbon emissions, supporting the country’s broader climate goals.
What remains now is the monsoon — a challenge for most infrastructure projects in the Western Ghats — and how swiftly the final leg of construction can be completed once conditions stabilise. While commuters may have to wait a few more months, the vision of a faster, safer, and more sustainable Mumbai-Pune corridor is finally within sigh
