A major infrastructure milestone has been achieved in Maharashtra, as the tunnel built under the Missing Link project on the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway has been officially recognised as the world’s widest underground road tunnel by Guinness World Records. The record certificate was presented to Devendra Fadnavis during a formal ceremony held on Friday to mark Maharashtra Day.
The tunnel, which has recently been opened to traffic following its inauguration, forms a crucial part of the Missing Link project aimed at reducing congestion and improving travel efficiency between Mumbai and Pune. Officials confirmed that the structure has a width of 22.33 metres, securing its place as the widest underground road tunnel globally.
The certificate was handed over by Guinness World Records representatives in the presence of senior government officials and dignitaries, underlining the international significance of the achievement. Prior to the ceremony, engineers from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation and construction firm Navayuga Engineering Company delivered a detailed technical presentation, highlighting the complexities of executing such a large-scale tunnelling project through the challenging terrain of the Western Ghats.
The event was attended by key leaders, including Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, along with several ministers and elected representatives.
Officials noted that the tunnel is expected to play a vital role in enhancing road safety by bypassing the accident-prone ghat section while also reducing travel time on one of India’s busiest expressways. Built using advanced engineering methods, the project reflects a significant leap in infrastructure capabilities. The recognition by Guinness World Records further highlights its importance as a benchmark in modern road construction and transport development.
Source: Hindustan Times
