The recently opened Mumbai–Pune Expressway Missing Link project is expected to significantly enhance travel efficiency and strengthen Maharashtra’s industrial ecosystem, according to industry representatives.
Confederation of Indian Industry Maharashtra Chairman Deepak Garg said the 13.3-km stretch, opened to the public on Friday, will reduce travel time and improve overall connectivity between Mumbai and Pune. The project, completed in 2026 at a cost of around ₹6,700 crore, bypasses the difficult 19-km Khandala Ghat section, effectively completing a long-pending gap in the expressway network.
Calling it a crucial infrastructure milestone, Garg noted that the corridor will cut travel time by nearly 25–30 minutes. “Enhanced connectivity will improve logistics efficiency, reduce costs, and boost investor confidence, enabling businesses to scale operations more effectively,” he said.
He further added, “Continued investment in infrastructure remains essential to building a competitive business environment and sustaining economic growth in the state,” highlighting Maharashtra’s ongoing focus on infrastructure-led industrial expansion.
From a real estate perspective, Rohit Gupta, Managing Director of Mantra Group, said the project will positively influence Pune’s property market. “The Missing Link will be a structural positive for Pune’s real estate market. By cutting travel time and making the Mumbai–Pune corridor smoother and safer, it strengthens Pune’s appeal for both end-users and investors from Mumbai,” he said.
He added, “We expect more Mumbai-based buyers to evaluate Pune seriously, not just as a second-home or investment market, but also as a realistic migration option for better lifestyle, larger homes and long-term value creation,” noting that improved connectivity will boost demand across key growth corridors.
The project also introduces enhanced safety infrastructure, including India’s first advanced crash barrier systems developed by Godrej Enterprises Group in collaboration with DELTABLOC, an Austria-based vehicle restraint specialist. These systems are designed to absorb impact, reduce collision severity, and improve highway safety across high-speed corridors.
Anup Mathew, EVP and Business Head, Construction Business at Godrej Enterprises Group, said, “As India builds the infrastructure that will power its next phase of growth, safety must be built into every major project and milestone.”
He added that the deployment of DELTABLOC technology marks the introduction of globally proven safety systems in India, supported by advanced engineering capabilities.
Developed under the Maharashtra government’s agency MSRDC, the project has also incorporated recycled construction materials, reflecting a growing emphasis on sustainable infrastructure development.
Source: The Hindu
