Mumbai–Pune Expressway's 'missing link' nears completion, set for August 2025 opening

The long-awaited ‘missing link’ on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway is now in its final phase, with 95 per cent of the work completed and authorities targeting an August 2025 opening. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde confirmed the progress after a high-level review meeting, stating that the last stage of construction of the project’s tallest bridge is underway and being executed with the utmost care and rigorous safety checks.

The missing link project, stretching 13.3 kilometres, is designed to transform travel between Mumbai and Pune. Once operational, it will shorten the journey by over 5.7 kilometres, bypassing the notorious ghat section between Khopoli and Sinhgad Institute. This is expected to shave off 20 to 30 minutes from the current travel time, a significant relief for the thousands of commuters who regularly face bottlenecks and long delays, especially during peak holiday periods.

The engineering challenges have been considerable. The new alignment features two major tunnels, one 1.75 km and another 8.9 km in length, alongside two viaducts, including a cable-stayed bridge soaring nearly 100 metres above the Khandala Valley. This section, subject to extreme wind pressures, has required meticulous construction and continuous safety testing. “This is a critical phase. The tallest bridge must be built with continuous safety testing, especially considering wind pressure and height. Work must be tested at every level” Shinde was quoted by Mid-Day.

A key goal of the project is to transform the Mumbai–Pune Expressway into a ‘zero-fatality corridor’. The new route, with fewer sharp bends and steep gradients, will allow vehicles to travel at speeds of up to 120 km/h while reducing the risk of accidents that have plagued the existing ghat section. Officials say that up to 85 per cent of current expressway traffic will shift to the new alignment, further decongesting the older route.