Shorter & faster: Pune-Mumbai expressway ‘Missing Link’ opens on May 1, with only cars & buses initially

PUNE: The 13.3km "Missing Link" section of Pune-Mumbai expressway would be inaugurated by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on May 1 (Maharashtra Day), MSRDC officials told TOI on Thursday. For the first six months, only cars and buses will be allowed on the stretch. Once operational, it is expected to trim travel time between the two cities by at least 30 minutes and reduce the distance by 6km, without any additional toll.

"Heavy vehicles and those carrying hazardous material will not be allowed on the new stretch, and would continue using the existing ghat section. Limited entry for goods vehicles may be considered after monsoon, subject to traffic studies," a senior official of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), who did not wish to be named, said.

Explaining the rationale behind the move, the official said heavy vehicles were a major contributor to congestion and accidents in the ghat section. An accident near the Adoshi tunnel, where a container carrying highly inflammable material overturned, had disrupted traffic for over 30 hours in Feb. "Nearly 70% of traffic on the expressway comprises cars and buses, with heavy vehicles accounting for only about 30%. The Missing Link is expected to reduce traffic load on the existing ghat section by up to 70%, offering a smoother and safer commute, bypassing sharp curves and steep gradients," the official said.

Under construction for nearly six years after multiple missed deadlines, the project is expected to significantly ease travel on the congestion-prone Bhor Ghat stretch. "Its work order was issued in 2019, gained momentum only after Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. It was originally slated for completion last Dec, but faced repeated delays owing to adverse weather conditions, including heavy rainfall and high winds in the ghat section. Asphalting process was delayed too, primarily because of material shortages linked to the West Asia conflict," the official said, adding stocks had been replenished and work would be expedited to complete the remaining works by April-end.

The project comprises two tunnels measuring 8.9km and 1.9km, including what officials described as Asia's longest road tunnel at 8.92km with a width of 23.5 metres. The project also features a 650-metre cable-stayed bridge constructed at an elevation of over 180 metres in Tiger Valley, making it one of MSRDC's most complex engineering undertakings. At least 1,000 workers are currently deployed at the site.

Regular commuters welcomed the development, calling it a long-overdue solution to a persistent bottleneck. Many said the new stretch would be a major relief, especially during weekends when traffic through Lonavala and the ghat section becomes exhausting. "A faster and smoother route will make a huge difference for those travelling regularly between the two cities," a commuter said.

Guinness recognition likely

The MSRDC officials said the project was likely to enter the Guinness Book of World Records for having the widest road tunnel at 23.5 metres. Inspections had been completed, and the certification was expected once the project was opened to the public, the officials said.

Cable stayed bridge is being executed by Afcons Infrastructure Ltd appointed by MSRDC.