Mumbai-Pune Expressway: The Fast Track Awaits!

Travel on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is poised to become significantly faster with the long-awaited “missing link” project expected to be completed by December 2025, according to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).

The new alignment will shorten the route by 13.3 km and cut travel time by 20–25 minutes. Thanks to straighter roads and fewer turns—especially through the hilly Lonavala-Khandala section—vehicles will be able to maintain speeds of up to 120 kmph.

Engineering highlights of the project include:

A 650-meter cable-stayed bridge over Tiger Valley, rising to the height of a 45-storey building

An 840-meter viaduct

A 1.75-km tunnel

A second tunnel stretching 8.9 km, reaching 170 feet below Lonavala Lake

Initially estimated at ₹6,600 crore, the project has faced several delays, with the original March 2024 deadline now extended. Although the current target is September 2025, officials remain optimistic about completing major components by December 2025.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar emphasized the project's impact in easing congestion, reducing fuel consumption, and improving road safety—marking a significant leap forward for Maharashtra’s transport infrastructure.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.