Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) officials said on Saturday that the "missing link" on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is 96 per cent complete, and its inauguration is likely to be held in September this year.
"Efforts are on to speed up the work, but the section near Lonavala continues to be challenging, especially ahead of the monsoon season," the officials added.
What is the use of the "missing link"?
Once it is opened to the public, the "missing link" is expected to reduce the Mumbai-Pune travel distance by 13.3 kilometres and cut travel time by 20–25 minutes. Additionally, with fewer hills to navigate, drivers will be able to travel at speeds of up to 120 km per hour.
Know about the project:
The project includes an 840-metre viaduct, a 1.75-kilometre tunnel and a 650-metre cable-stayed bridge above the Tiger Valley in the Lonavala-Khandala section. The route continues through another 8.9-kilometre tunnel, portions of which run 170 feet below Lonavala Lake.
Deadline extended several times
The project, estimated at ₹6,600 crore, has seen the extension of its deadline several times. At first, it was set to open in March 2024. The deadline was subsequently pushed to January 2025, March 2025, June 2025 and August 2025. Now, the deadline has been revised to September 2025.
In March this year, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said the project would be completed by August 2025, adding that it will save both travel time and fuel, and will also help mitigate and reduce traffic congestion on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
