The much-anticipated Mumbai-Pune Missing Link project is in its final stages, with construction nearly complete and only one deck segment left to be finished. Once opened, the new corridor is expected to cut travel time and enhance road safety for commuters travelling between the two cities.
The 13.3-kilometre stretch will bypass the existing 19.8-kilometre ghat section between Lonavala and Khandala on the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway. The current route through the ghats is marked by steep inclines, sharp turns and a history of accidents. The redesigned alignment aims to eliminate dangerous curves, improve sightlines and lower crash risks.
Officials estimate that the operationalisation of the Missing Link will shorten the Mumbai-Pune distance by around six kilometres, reducing travel time by approximately 25 to 30 minutes. The project is targeted for completion by May 1, after which authorities may open it to traffic.
Addressing public concerns about toll revisions, officials clarified that no abrupt or substantial hike is planned. Instead, the toll collection tenure has been extended until 2045, with the existing tariff structure subject to review every five years. The next revision cycle is due in 2030.
Currently, the expressway records about 75,000 vehicles daily, with numbers surging to nearly 120,000 on weekends and holidays, often leading to bottlenecks. Recent tanker accidents have reinforced the need for a safer alternative route.
Meanwhile, political leader Milind Narvekar has urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to ensure all safety audits are completed before inauguration. Officials say final inspections are underway and the stretch will be opened only after mandatory clearances are secured.
Source: Punekar News
