September 29, 2025: Travel between Mumbai and Pune is set to become faster and safer with the long-awaited Missing Link Project on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway nearing completion. The project, being executed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), is designed to cut travel time by around 30 minutes by bypassing the congested and accident-prone Lonavala–Khandala ghat section.
The 13.3-kilometre, eight-lane, access-controlled corridor will shorten the overall distance by nearly six kilometres and enable vehicles to travel at speeds of up to 120 kmph. The project features two major tunnels, measuring nine kilometres and two kilometres respectively, a 650-metre cable-stayed bridge at Tiger Valley rising 132 feet above ground, and a viaduct soaring nearly 180 metres, which will rank among the tallest structures of its kind in India. The tunnels pass beneath Lonavala Lake, while the bridge is expected to become a striking landmark once opened.
Work commenced in 2019, but the scale of construction and the difficult terrain have delayed progress, pushing the project past four deadlines. At present, approximately 96 per cent of the work has been completed. The tunnels and one viaduct are fully ready, while the bridge and the second viaduct are in their finishing stages. The final phase will focus on comprehensive safety checks, including lighting, ventilation, monitoring systems and emergency exits, in addition to securing the necessary certifications and environmental clearances.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have inspected the site, commending the engineering achievement while emphasising that safety standards must remain the top priority. Officials have suggested that the project could be inaugurated in December 2025, subject to successful testing.
Once operational, the Missing Link will not only reduce travel time and improve safety but also boost Maharashtra’s economy by enhancing logistics, tourism, and industrial growth across the region.
Source: Pune Pulse
