July 14, 2025: Connectivity between Mumbai and Pune is set for a major upgrade as the long-awaited Yashwantrao Chavan Mumbai–Pune Expressway Missing Link Project nears completion. Inspected by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on July 12, the transformative project is expected to reduce travel time by up to 30 minutes by bypassing the chronically congested Lonavla–Khandala ghat section.
Designed to benefit over 75,000 vehicles that use the expressway daily, the project aims to deliver a faster, safer, and more seamless driving experience, easing long-standing issues caused by narrow lanes, steep gradients, and heavy traffic. Delays in the ghat area, particularly during weekends and holidays, are a regular frustration for commuters.
The project’s engineering features are set to make headlines. A 9-kilometre tunnel—soon to be India’s longest and the world’s widest—runs beneath Lonavla Lake, offering a direct route through the hills. A 185-metre-high cable-stayed bridge is under construction across Tiger Valley, which will become India’s tallest. Two additional viaducts, measuring 790 and 650 metres respectively, are also part of the route realignment to ensure smoother gradients and improved safety.
Particularly during the monsoon, when the ghat section is prone to landslides and disruption, the new alignment is expected to enhance safety and traffic flow. The Rs 6,695 crore investment underscores Maharashtra’s push towards future-ready infrastructure capable of handling growing transportation demands.
Officials note that this ambitious infrastructure development will not only improve commuting times and road safety but also boost regional trade, tourism, and economic activity. By embracing cutting-edge engineering and smart planning, the Missing Link Project sets a precedent for modern transport development across India.
Once operational, it promises to redefine road travel between two of Maharashtra’s most vital urban centres.
Source: Urban Acres
