Missing Link Project Delay Behind Traffic Chaos on Mumbai–Pune Expressway, Says Citizens’ Group

Pune, 5th February 2026: The massive traffic congestion that brought the Mumbai–Pune Expressway to a standstill for nearly 30 hours has once again put the spotlight on the delayed ‘Missing Link’ project, which was meant to ease traffic through the ghat section.

According to activists, the narrow and accident-prone stretches in the ghat section are the main cause of repeated traffic jams on the expressway. To address this, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) launched the 13.5-km Missing Link project in March 2019. As per the original plan, the project was to be completed by 2022. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the deadline was pushed to 2024. Since then, the project has seen repeated extensions, and the latest target date for completion is now May 1, 2026.

The 13.3-km project includes the construction of two tunnels and two major bridges through the Sahyadri range. Authorities have cited the difficult terrain as the reason for the delay.

However, citizen groups argue that this justification does not hold when compared with past achievements.

They point out that the 740-km Konkan Railway project — which included 90 tunnels and nearly 2,000 bridges — was completed between 1990 and 1998 in just eight years, despite far more limited technology and machinery at the time.

“Today, technology and equipment are far more advanced, yet this relatively smaller project continues to drag on. This delay needs to be thoroughly investigated,” activists said.

The Missing Link project is estimated to cost around ₹6,500 crore from public funds.

Meanwhile, the recent 36-hour traffic jam left thousands of vehicles and commuters stranded, resulting in significant losses of time and money — possibly exceeding the project’s daily cost impact, according to citizen groups.

Vivek Velankar, President of Sajag Nagrik Manch, Pune, blamed the crisis on what he termed the administration’s apathy and insensitivity.

“Administrative indifference, inaction and a lack of concern for citizens are at the root of this problem. Sadly, helpless citizens are left with no option but to suffer,” he said.

The incident has renewed calls for accountability and faster execution of critical infrastructure projects aimed at improving safety and traffic flow on one of Maharashtra’s busiest highways.