The Pune-Mumbai Missing Link will prohibit all goods vehicles from using the route from November 1, including pickup vans that were previously allowed, under new traffic restrictions issued by the Maharashtra Highway Police. The permanent ban also covers vehicles carrying flammable, explosive or hazardous materials.
The restrictions apply to the Missing Link section of the Pune-Mumbai Expressway, where tunnels and related technical features were cited as the reason for prioritising passenger safety. Vehicles covered by the ban will have to use the older carriageway of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway instead.
“Considering the design and technical aspects of the tunnels in the Missing Link project and for the safety of passengers, a permanent ban has been imposed on all types of goods vehicles and vehicles carrying flammable materials. Implementation will begin from November 1,” Shivaji Pawar, superintendent of the Pune-region Highway Police, was quoted as saying.
The new order removes the earlier allowance for light goods vehicles such as pickup vans. As a result, no category of goods vehicle will be permitted to travel through the Missing Link once the notification comes into force. The restriction includes vehicles transporting dangerous substances, with the police also specifying a strict prohibition on flammable and explosive materials.
Passenger vehicles will continue to be allowed to use the route. The permitted categories include private cars, jeeps and non-transport light motor vehicles. Passenger buses and other passenger vehicles can also use the Missing Link, subject to the stated speed limits.
The speed limit for light vehicles has been set at 100 kmph, while buses will be allowed to travel at up to 80 kmph. The notification therefore creates a separate operating framework for passenger traffic while directing commercial freight traffic to the older expressway route.
The change has operational consequences for freight movement between Pune and Mumbai. Goods vehicle operators, including those using smaller pickup vans, will need to plan for the old carriageway instead of the newer route. The source report does not specify whether additional signage, enforcement points or diversion arrangements will be introduced before the November 1 implementation date.
The restriction also places the design of the Missing Link’s tunnels at the centre of traffic management on this section of the expressway. Highway Police officials have linked the decision to the physical and technical characteristics of the project, rather than limiting the ban only to vehicles carrying hazardous cargo.
The new rules will take effect on November 1. Until then, the source report does not state whether the existing permissions for pickup vans and other light goods vehicles remain unchanged or whether enforcement will begin earlier. After implementation, restricted vehicles will be required to use the old Mumbai-Pune Expressway carriageway, while passenger traffic will continue on the Missing Link within the specified speed limits.
