November 22, 2025: The Maharashtra government is evaluating a major upgrade of the 95-km Mumbai–Pune Expressway, aiming to widen it from six to ten lanes in response to steadily rising traffic. The expressway currently handles 80,000–100,000 vehicles daily, with numbers spiking on weekends and holidays. Persistent congestion has pushed the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to prepare a detailed proposal for widening, which will soon be sent to the state government for approval.
According to MSRDC officials, the expansion is estimated to cost Rs 14,260 crore. The funding model being considered includes a 40% share from the state government, while the remaining 60% would be financed by the private contractor selected through the tendering process. If approvals come through on time, the additional lanes could be ready by 2030.
A major reason for the proposed upgrade is the persistent bottleneck between the Adoshi tunnel and the Khandala exit. This stretch frequently experiences heavy jams because traffic from the four-lane Old Mumbai–Pune Highway (NH-4) merges with the six-lane expressway. MSRDC had earlier assessed an expansion to eight lanes, but has now opted for ten lanes to avoid future capacity issues.
The upcoming “missing link” project has also influenced the decision. This 13.3-km connector—featuring two tunnels, including one nearly 8.9 km long, and a cable-stayed bridge—is expected to open in early 2026. Officials say it will bypass the steep ghat section near Lonavala and Khandala, reduce gradients, improve safety, and attract even more vehicles to the expressway.
Though the expressway has undergone multiple upgrades since it fully opened in 2002, traffic has continued to grow with rising inter-city travel and freight activity. To support project financing and future maintenance, MSRDC is considering extending toll collection beyond April 2045.
Separately, an elevated corridor linking the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) to the expressway is under construction at a cost of around ₹1,100 crore. Expected to be completed by February 2027, it will further streamline connectivity between Mumbai and the expressway.
Source: Prop News Time
