Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link Enters Final Phase, MSRDC Starts Load Testing
Pune, 7th April 2026: The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has begun load testing on the long-pending ‘Missing Link’ project on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, indicating that the project is in its final stage ahead of commissioning.
The officials said inspection vehicles are being deployed regularly across the newly connected stretch to assess structural stability and safety. “Both carriageways are now linked, and vehicles can move seamlessly from one end to the other,” a senior MSRDC official said.
He added that the project is nearly complete, with only finishing works remaining, and is expected to be ready by the end of April.
Authorities said traffic will be introduced in phases after inauguration. Initially, only light vehicles will be allowed for three months, followed by the entry of buses and heavy vehicles. Further decisions on commercial traffic will be taken after reviewing traffic patterns over the first six months.
Safety remains a key concern, particularly in the tunnels along the stretch. As per Indian Road Congress guidelines, vehicles carrying hazardous materials such as petrol, diesel and gas will not be permitted due to fire risks in long tunnels.
The missing link connects Khopoli to Kusgaon, effectively bypassing the congested and accident-prone Khandala-Lonavala ghat section. The new alignment reduces the distance by over 6 km and is expected to cut travel time by 25 to 30 minutes.
Built at a cost of around Rs 6,695 crore, the project includes key engineering features such as a 900-metre viaduct, a 650-metre cable-stayed bridge over Tiger Valley, and a nearly 9-km-long tunnel. The four-lane corridor is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion on one of the country’s busiest expressways.
