The long-awaited Mumbai–Pune Expressway Missing Link is on the verge of completion, with nearly 99% of work finished after three decades of planning and eight years of construction. However, a disruption thousands of kilometres away has emerged as an unexpected hurdle in the final stage.
According to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, civil work on the 13.3-km bypass—featuring two tunnels and two cable-stayed bridges—is largely complete. Load testing on the bridges is currently underway, and approach roads have already been surfaced. The only remaining task is the application of the final bitumen layer on the bridge decks.
This last step has been affected by supply disruptions linked to tensions in the Gulf region, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor. India depends heavily on imports for bitumen, a petroleum byproduct used in road surfacing, with a majority sourced from Gulf nations such as the UAE, Oman, Iraq and Iran.
Recent geopolitical tensions involving Iran have disrupted shipping routes, leading to shortages and a sharp rise in bitumen prices—reportedly increasing by over 50% in recent weeks. Despite higher costs, contractors are continuing procurement efforts to avoid delays in completing the project.
The Missing Link, first proposed in 1995, is a key infrastructure upgrade designed to reduce travel distance between Mumbai and Pune by 5.7 km and cut journey time by 25–30 minutes. Once operational, it is expected to allow speeds of up to 120 kmph and significantly ease traffic congestion, with estimates suggesting that nearly 70% of vehicles may shift to the new route.
With the May 1 inauguration target approaching, the project now hinges on securing the final supply of bitumen—highlighting how global supply chains can directly impact local infrastructure timelines.
Source: Money Control
