Mumbai Pune Expressway Set to Transform with 10 Lanes
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has unveiled a ₹14,900 crore project to expand the Mumbai-Pune Expressway from six to ten lanes, aiming to alleviate growing traffic congestion and enhance mobility between the two key cities.
Mumbai Pune ExpresswayMsrdcTraffic CongestionSustainable InfrastructureUrban PlanningReal Estate PuneJun 06, 2025
The 96-kilometre expressway, which connects Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai to Kiwale near Pune, currently carries over 65,000 vehicles on weekdays and more than one lakh on weekends. This mounting volume has turned the journey — once hailed as India’s premier expressway experience — into a logistical bottleneck, especially during holiday weekends when travel time stretches from the usual two hours to nearly five.
With traffic volumes rising steadily at 5–6% annually, transport planners within MSRDC have called the situation untenable and flagged an urgent need for intervention. The proposed expansion targets 83 kilometres of the highway that are not part of the ongoing “missing link” redevelopment through the Khandala Ghat. That 13-kilometre segment is already being upgraded to 14 lanes through a series of tunnels and viaducts expected to open by 2026. The new 10-lane plan aims to not only improve traffic flow but also reduce vehicular idling time, thereby cutting down carbon emissions — a key concern for urban and environmental planners.
Officials suggest that the increased capacity could allow for more dedicated lanes for electric buses, logistics traffic, and emergency services, making the highway not only faster but safer and potentially greener. However, the environmental footprint of such a massive expansion cannot be ignored. Experts caution that expanding highways without parallel investment in sustainable transport modes, such as rail-based cargo corridors or EV-only lanes, risks encouraging more car usage — ultimately undercutting any climate gains. The MSRDC will likely need to secure environmental and forest clearances, as some sections could affect hilly terrain and sensitive habitats.
The economic rationale remains strong. With Pune evolving into a major IT, manufacturing, and educational hub, and Mumbai retaining its position as India’s commercial capital, the expressway remains a critical economic lifeline. Delays on the corridor have a cascading impact on logistics efficiency, fuel consumption, and workforce productivity. Transporters have long pushed for wider lanes to avoid bottlenecks, especially at toll booths and entry-exit points.
Urban transport analysts believe that if executed with environmental safeguards and multimodal planning, the 10-lane expressway could set a benchmark in sustainable infrastructure. However, they stress the need for the upgrade to be accompanied by digitised toll systems, intelligent traffic monitoring, and seamless last-mile urban connectivity to prevent city-centre gridlocks at either end.
As the MSRDC finalises project details and prepares for land acquisition and funding clearances, commuters and transporters are hopeful that the expanded expressway will finally deliver the promise of speed, safety, and sustainability. What remains to be seen is whether the ambition of scale will be matched with ecological responsibility — a test Maharashtra’s infrastructure future must now pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proposed cost of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway expansion?
The proposed cost of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway expansion is ₹14,900 crore.
How many vehicles currently use the expressway on a daily basis?
The expressway currently carries over 65,000 vehicles on weekdays and more than one lakh on weekends.
What is the current length of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway?
The current length of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is 96 kilometres.
What are the environmental concerns associated with the expansion?
The environmental concerns include the risk of encouraging more car usage, potential impacts on hilly terrain and sensitive habitats, and the need for parallel investments in sustainable transport modes.
What are the expected benefits of the 10-lane expansion?
The expected benefits include improved traffic flow, reduced vehicular idling time, lower carbon emissions, and the potential for dedicated lanes for electric buses, logistics traffic, and emergency services.
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