January 6, 2026: Commuters and long-distance travellers on the Mumbai–Pune corridor may soon experience faster and smoother journeys, with two large infrastructure projects set to ease congestion on one of Maharashtra’s busiest routes. A newly approved eight-lane greenfield expressway and the near-completion of the long-pending Mumbai–Pune Expressway’s ‘missing link’ are expected to significantly improve travel time, safety and driving comfort.
According to Hindustan Times reports, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has cleared the detailed project report for a new Mumbai–Pune expressway at an estimated cost of ₹15,000 crore. Designed as a high-capacity alternative to the existing expressway, the new corridor aims to cut travel time to about 90 minutes under normal traffic conditions. “The existing Pune-Mumbai e-way has reached saturation due to a sharp rise in traffic volume, leading to congestion, delays, and safety concerns. This new expressway is being planned as a high-capacity alternative that will ensure smoother, faster, and safer travel. Once operational, commuters will be able to cover the distance in around 90 minutes under normal traffic conditions,” said NHAI Pune project director Sanjay Kadam.
The proposed eight-lane road is expected to handle nearly three lakh vehicles daily. Its alignment will begin near Atal Setu in Mumbai, pass key nodes such as the Navi Mumbai International Airport and JNPT, cut through the Sahyadri range via tunnels and elevated bridges, and end at Shivare in Pune’s Bhor taluka. A direct link to Pune’s upcoming Ring Road will allow vehicles bound for Satara, Kolhapur, and Bengaluru to bypass Pune city, easing urban congestion. “Heavy vehicles get stuck for hours whenever there is a breakdown or an accident on the current expressway. This new road will divert long-distance and freight traffic, which will improve safety and save fuel, time, and money for transporters,” said transport operator Ramesh Jadhav.
Meanwhile, the 13.3-km ‘missing link’ near Lonavala is nearing completion and is expected to open in the coming months, according to the Indian Express. “There were a lot of challenges in the construction of the missing link road project… All project hurdles have been overcome, and the major work is complete. Only small works are remaining,” a senior MSRDC official said.
Together, the two projects are expected to deliver immediate and long-term congestion relief, reshaping mobility and logistics across western Maharashtra.
Source: Oneindia
