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The long-awaited ‘missing link’ on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway is now in its final phase, with 95 per cent of the work completed and authorities targeting an August 2025 opening. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde confirmed the progress after a high-level review meeting, stating that the last stage of construction of the project’s tallest bridge is underway and being executed with the utmost care and rigorous safety checks.

The missing link project, stretching 13.3 kilometres, is designed to transform travel between Mumbai and Pune. Once operational, it will shorten the journey by over 5.7 kilometres, bypassing the notorious ghat section between Khopoli and Sinhgad Institute. This is expected to shave off 20 to 30 minutes from the current travel time, a significant relief for the thousands of commuters who regularly face bottlenecks and long delays, especially during peak holiday periods.

The engineering challenges have been considerable. The new alignment features two major tunnels, one 1.75 km and another 8.9 km in length, alongside two viaducts, including a cable-stayed bridge soaring nearly 100 metres above the Khandala Valley. This section, subject to extreme wind pressures, has required meticulous construction and continuous safety testing. “This is a critical phase. The tallest bridge must be built with continuous safety testing, especially considering wind pressure and height. Work must be tested at every level” Shinde was quoted by Mid-Day.

A key goal of the project is to transform the Mumbai–Pune Expressway into a ‘zero-fatality corridor’. The new route, with fewer sharp bends and steep gradients, will allow vehicles to travel at speeds of up to 120 km/h while reducing the risk of accidents that have plagued the existing ghat section. Officials say that up to 85 per cent of current expressway traffic will shift to the new alignment, further decongesting the older route.

Initially estimated at Rs 6,600 crore, the project has faced several deadline extensions, moving from March 2024 to January 2025, then March, and now August 2025. Officials attribute these delays to the complex terrain and the ambitious scale of construction. Despite the setbacks, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has assured that funding will not be an issue. However, motorists should note that while toll rates remain unchanged, the toll collection period will be extended by 15 years beyond the original contract end in 2030.

The missing link is part of a broader infrastructure push in Maharashtra. The state government has also announced plans to develop the Amne Node along the Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Samruddhi Mahamarg into a major industrial, logistics, and food processing hub, mirroring developments like Mumbai’s BKC and Noida. Additionally, the government is expediting work on connecting highways, such as the Nashik route, to minimise congestion during ongoing construction.

Further, the proposal to widen the main Mumbai–Pune Expressway from six to eight lanes is awaiting administrative approval, with an estimated cost of Rs 5,000–6,000 crore. Land acquisition for this expansion remains a hurdle, but officials are optimistic about future phases.

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