Mumbai-Pune Expressway Set for Major Upgrade: Four Additional Lanes to Ease Traffic Congestion
The Maharashtra government is planning to add four more lanes to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, a crucial 95-kilometre route, to reduce congestion and accommodate increasing traffic. The project, estimated to cost ₹14,260 crore, is expected to be completed by 2030.
Mumbaipune ExpresswayTraffic CongestionRoad ExpansionMaharashtra State Road Development CorporationInfrastructure ProjectsReal Estate PuneNov 17, 2025
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is in the process of submitting a proposal to the state government. If the proposal is approved and tendering formalities are conducted as planned, the four new lanes will be added to the expressway by 2030, a senior MSRDC official stated.
Inaugurated on April 1, 2002, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway currently has six lanes, with three lanes in each direction. The daily traffic on the expressway ranges from 80,000 to 100,000 vehicles, with significant surges during weekends and public holidays, leading to long traffic jams. In 2020, the 190-year-old Amrutanjan bridge along the expressway was demolished to ease congestion, but motorists still complained of inordinate delays, especially along the stretch where it converges with the Old Mumbai-Pune Highway, or National Highway-4.
This stretch, from the Adoshi tunnel to the Khandala exit, has six lanes but caters to traffic from 10 lanes—six lanes of the expressway and four lanes of the Old Mumbai-Pune highway. Acute congestion was seen along this stretch on Friday evening, with many motorists venting their frustration on social media. One user, @imransoorya, posted on social media platform X, saying, “It’s so funny that the old Mumbai Pune road takes less time and less toll than the expressway. We are progressing or regressing.”
The MSRDC had initially planned to augment the carrying capacity of the expressway from six to eight lanes in the early 2020s. However, the proposal has been revised to 10 lanes. “We need to upgrade the expressway not only due to increasing traffic load but also because the completion of the missing link project will add further traffic,” the MSRDC official said.
The missing link project is a 13.3-km stretch of the expressway that will bypass the congested Khandala and Lonavla ghat sections. It is expected to be completed and opened to traffic in early 2026. Of the estimated ₹14,260 crore capital expenditure involved in adding four lanes to the expressway, the state government is likely to contribute 40%, while the balance is likely to be borne by the infrastructure firm that is awarded the tender. The toll collection period on the expressway will be extended beyond April 30, 2045, once the capacity augmentation is approved by the state government.
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway is a vital artery connecting two major cities in Maharashtra, facilitating economic activities and daily commutes. The addition of four lanes is expected to significantly improve traffic flow and reduce travel time, benefiting both commuters and businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current number of lanes on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway?
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway currently has six lanes, with three lanes in each direction.
What is the estimated cost of adding four more lanes to the expressway?
The project to add four more lanes to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is estimated to cost ₹14,260 crore.
When is the project expected to be completed?
If the proposal is approved and tendering formalities are conducted as planned, the four new lanes will be added to the expressway by 2030.
Why is the upgrade necessary?
The upgrade is necessary to ease vehicular congestion and cater to the increasing traffic on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, especially during weekends and public holidays.
What is the missing link project, and when is it expected to be completed?
The missing link project is a 13.3-km stretch of the expressway that will bypass the congested Khandala and Lonavla ghat sections. It is expected to be completed and opened to traffic in early 2026.
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