The highly anticipated ‘Missing Link’ project on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is in its final phase, with completion expected by September 2025. Developed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), the 13.3-kilometre stretch is set to dramatically enhance connectivity between Mumbai and Pune, slashing travel time by up to 30 minutes while significantly improving road safety. The expressway upgrade aims to transform the corridor into a zero-fatality zone by bypassing the treacherous ghat section notorious for accidents, especially during the monsoon.
Once operational, the new alignment will reduce the existing Khopoli exit to Sinhgad Institute route from 19.8 kilometres to just 14.1 kilometres. Designed for high-speed travel, vehicles will be able to cruise at up to 120 km/h on the revamped route. According to MSRDC, 96% of the construction is complete, although work on the second elevated structure across a deep valley remains the most complex segment yet to be finalised.
A standout feature of the project is its engineering scale and ambition. The route includes a record-breaking 23.30-metre-wide tunnel, accommodating four traffic lanes and safety corridors on either side. The dual tunnels — one stretching 1.75 kilometres and the other 8.9 kilometres — along with an 840-metre viaduct, aim to create a seamless and secure driving experience. This advanced infrastructure is also designed to mitigate issues caused by rockfalls and landslides, which frequently disrupt traffic during the rainy season.
Launched in March 2019, the Rs 6,600 crore project was originally slated for completion by March 2024. However, delays pushed the deadline multiple times, first to January 2025, then March 2025, and now finally to September 2025. Despite the extensions, MSRDC officials maintain confidence that the upgraded expressway will usher in a new era of safe, efficient, and congestion-free travel between two of Maharashtra’s most vital urban hubs.
As construction enters its last lap, the Missing Link is poised to become a landmark achievement in India’s highway development — a modern engineering solution addressing both safety and speed on one of the country’s busiest expressways.
Source: News 24
