Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link to Open on May 1, Travel Time to Reduce by 30 Minutes
Mumbai/Pune, 26th April 2026: The long-awaited ‘Missing Link’ project on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway is set to be inaugurated on May 1 by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, with nearly 99 percent of the work now complete. The project is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion in the ghat section, making travel faster, safer and completely signal-free.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who inspected the project site on Saturday, said the remaining minor works would be completed in the coming days. He expressed satisfaction with the quality of construction and directed officials to ensure timely completion with high standards.
The Missing Link project, spanning around 10.5 kilometres, is a key infrastructure upgrade aimed at making the expressway fully access-controlled. It includes two major tunnels, a high viaduct and a cable-stayed bridge over Tiger Valley, rising approximately 182 metres. The tunnel, measuring about 23.75 metres in width, is considered among the widest in the world.
Officials said the project was executed under challenging conditions, including heavy rainfall, strong winds reaching up to 70 kmph, and difficult terrain. Notably, a portion of the alignment passes around 182 metres below Lonavala Lake, adding to the engineering complexity. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) undertook the project, overcoming significant technical challenges.
Once operational, the Missing Link will bypass the hazardous ghat section, eliminating sharp curves and reducing travel time by an estimated 20 to 30 minutes. Shinde claimed that accidents in the ghat stretch would be brought close to zero due to the improved design. The project is also expected to result in fuel savings, reduced travel time and lower vehicular emissions.
The new alignment will shorten the Mumbai–Pune Expressway distance by nearly 6 kilometres. In the initial phase, the route will be open to light vehicles and buses, which is expected to decongest traffic in the existing ghat section.
Addressing concerns over toll, Shinde clarified that there would be no toll hike due to the project. He also stated that no increase is currently proposed at the Khalapur toll plaza.
The project, estimated at ₹6,700 crore, was approved in 2019 when Fadnavis was serving as Chief Minister. Its inauguration under his leadership again marks a notable milestone.
The Mumbai–Pune Expressway, India’s first access-controlled highway, has played a crucial role in boosting sectors such as IT, services, industry and real estate. With the addition of the Missing Link, its efficiency and capacity are expected to improve further.
Improved connectivity is also likely to benefit tourism, with easier access to destinations such as Lohagad and Visapur forts and the Karla Caves. The tunnels have been aesthetically designed with themes inspired by forts and cave architecture, officials said, adding that care has been taken to maintain durability.
Shinde said such infrastructure projects not only improve transport but also accelerate economic growth by strengthening connectivity, which in turn drives investment and employment opportunities.
He added that the government is focusing on building a network of access-controlled roads by integrating projects such as the Samruddhi Mahamarg, the Konkan Coastal Road and the Vasai-Virar multimodal corridor, aiming to enable travel across Maharashtra within 7 to 8 hours.
The Missing Link project is expected to transform travel between Mumbai and Pune, offering a faster, safer and more efficient commuting experience while contributing to the state’s overall development.
MP Shrirang Barne, former corporator Abasaheb Bagul, MSRDC Managing Director Anilkumar Gaikwad, and senior officials and engineers from MSRDC, Afcons and Navayuga were present during the inspection.
