Mumbai-Pune Expressway ‘Missing Link’ Project 96% Complete; Inauguration Pushed to September 2025

Lonavala, 26th April 2025: The long-awaited “missing link” on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is nearing completion, with nearly 96% of the work done, according to officials from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). The revised deadline for opening the stretch has now been set for September 2025.

Despite consistent progress, engineers continue to face difficulties near Lonavala, particularly with the onset of the monsoon likely to slow down work in the coming months. The ₹6,600-crore infrastructure project has already seen several deadline revisions—from the original March 2024 target to January 2025, then March, and now the latest projection.

Once operational, the 13-kilometre “missing link” is expected to cut down the travel distance between Mumbai and Pune by 5.7 kilometres and significantly reduce commute time. Vehicles will be able to travel at speeds up to 120 kmph on the new stretch, improving both traffic flow and safety.

“Work on the tunnels and one of the viaducts has been completed. However, the second viaduct is still under construction and is the most challenging section as it runs over a deep valley,” said a senior MSRDC official. The centerpiece of the project—a 650-metre-long cable-stayed bridge rising 180 metres above the Khandala Valley—is among the most complex parts of the alignment.

To avoid traffic disruption, engineers are using completed portions of the viaduct and tunnel to access ongoing work zones. The complete project comprises a 1.75-kilometre tunnel, an 840-metre viaduct, and the signature cable-stayed bridge over Tiger Valley in the Lonavala-Khandala stretch.

Another major feature is an 8.9-kilometre tunnel, sections of which run approximately 170 feet beneath the Lonavala lakebed, adding to the engineering intensity of the build.

“We’re prioritizing safety and continuity. Our goal is to complete the remaining work as swiftly as possible without compromising on quality,” added the official.

The project, once completed, is set to transform intercity travel between Maharashtra’s two key urban hubs by easing congestion and offering a faster, more scenic alternative to the current expressway alignment.