Mumbai–Pune Expressway: Missing Link Project 93% Complete, Travel Time to Reduce by 25 Minutes
Pune, 29th December 2025: Work on the long-awaited “Missing Link” project on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, connecting Khopoli exit to Kusgaon, is progressing at a rapid pace, with nearly 93 per cent of the work completed so far. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has set a target to complete the 13.3-kilometre alternative route by May 2026.
Once completed, the Missing Link will reduce the distance between Mumbai and Pune by about six kilometres and cut travel time by nearly 25 minutes, significantly easing commute between the two cities. The project aims to provide a safer, faster and more convenient route by bypassing the accident-prone and congested ghat section.
Currently, the Mumbai–Pune Expressway and National Highway 4 converge near the Khalapur toll plaza and separate again at the Khandala exit. The stretch between Adoshi Tunnel and Khandala exit is six-laned but handles traffic from up to 10 lanes, leading to frequent congestion. The area has steep gradients and sharp curves, and incidents of landslides are common during the monsoon, often forcing the closure of one lane towards Mumbai.
Considering these challenges, MSRDC took up the Missing Link project in 2019 as an alternative to the six-kilometre winding Bor Ghat stretch. The project includes one of the country’s tallest valley bridges, standing at approximately 181 metres. A major portion of the bridge has been constructed, with 93 per cent of the work—including cable installation and linking of bridge sections—already completed.
Officials said the project, once operational, will greatly improve safety, reduce congestion, and ensure smoother travel on one of Maharashtra’s busiest road corridors.
