MSRDC to Install Wind Shields on Mumbai-Pune Missing Link Bridge to Protect Vehicles From Strong Winds
Pune/Mumbai, 5th June 2026 : Travel on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway’s newly opened Missing Link corridor is set to become safer, with the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) beginning installation of wind shields on the cable-stayed bridge that forms part of the project.
The 13.3-km Missing Link, which was recently opened to traffic, has reduced travel time between Mumbai and Pune by around 30 minutes by bypassing a significant portion of the ghat section on the expressway. While heavy vehicles are currently barred from using the corridor and vehicles carrying inflammable materials are permanently prohibited, the route has significantly improved travel time for passenger vehicles.
A key feature of the project is the cable-stayed bridge, which, at a height of 182 to 185 metres, is among the tallest of its kind in the country. Constructed across a deep valley, the bridge is located in an area prone to strong winds, particularly during the monsoon season, and is also vulnerable to cyclonic weather conditions.
Considering these factors, the MSRDC has initiated work to install wind shields on both sides of the bridge to protect vehicles from high-speed crosswinds and improve safety for motorists.
Speaking to the media, MSRDC Joint Managing Director Rajesh Patil said the contractor had recently started installing the wind shields and the work is expected to be completed within the next 10 to 12 days.
Officials said the wind shields are designed to reduce the impact of strong winds on moving vehicles, especially during adverse weather conditions, thereby enhancing safety on the bridge.
The Missing Link project was developed to streamline traffic movement between Mumbai and Pune and reduce travel time by avoiding the winding ghat section of the expressway. The cable-stayed bridge, one of the most technically challenging components of the project, was constructed in a high-wind zone and required several specialised engineering measures during execution.
With the addition of wind shields, the MSRDC aims to further improve safety and driving comfort for commuters using the corridor.
