Mumbai-Pune Expressway: Missing Link Ban for Goods Vehicles, Speed Capped at 100 kmph for Cars

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Lonavala, 26th October 2026: All goods-carrying vehicles, including pickup vans and small commercial vehicles, will be prohibited from using the Missing Link section of the Yashwantrao Chavan Mumbai–Pune Expressway from November 1, 2026, under a notification issued by Praveen Salunke, Additional Director General of Police (Traffic), Maharashtra State.

The notification, signed on October 26, restricts access to non-transport light motor vehicles, including private cars and jeeps, and passenger buses and other passenger vehicles. The regulations will remain in force until further orders.

“All Goods carrying vehicles, including LMV goods vehicles (such as Pickup vans, Tata Ace, etc.) are permanently prohibited from using the ‘Missing Link (Connecting Link)’ route and must continue to utilize the existing expressway alignment,” Salunke stated in the notification.

The restrictions also cover vehicles transporting hazardous materials, including flammable, explosive and other dangerous substances. Citing Ministry of Road Transport and Highways guidelines and tunnel safety protocols, Salunke’s notification states that such vehicles are “permanently and strictly prohibited” from using the Missing Link.

“Such vehicles must continue to utilize the existing expressway,” it adds.

Speed Limits for Cars and Buses

The notification fixes the maximum speed at 100 kmph for cars and light motor vehicles and 80 kmph for passenger buses and other passenger vehicles.

“The maximum speed limit is fixed at 100 kmph,” Salunke stated in the provision covering cars and light motor vehicles. For passenger buses and vehicles, the notification specifies: “The maximum speed limit is fixed at 80 kmph.”

It also provides that no cognisance of a speed-limit violation will be taken under Section 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, if the detected speed is within five per cent of the prescribed maximum. The notified maximum limits remain 100 kmph and 80 kmph for the respective categories.

Explaining the need for the regulations, Salunke cited traffic safety inside the Missing Link tunnels, technical considerations and discussions with stakeholders, stating that “it is necessary to establish permanent traffic regulations on this route for public safety”.

The notification also directs the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation to install speed-limit boards at appropriate locations.

Motorists Asked to Check Eligibility Before Entry

In a separate press release dated October 26, the Maharashtra Highway Police’s Pune region urged motorists to check whether their vehicle category is permitted before entering the Missing Link.

Drivers were advised to follow the prescribed speed limits, exercise particular caution inside tunnels and comply with traffic police instructions. Goods and heavy-vehicle drivers were asked to continue using the existing expressway route rather than attempting to enter the Missing Link.

The new regulations take effect on November 1, 2026.