Mumbai-Pune Expressway's Missing Link 96% Complete: New Opening Deadline Set for September 2025
The long-awaited upgrade to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is 96% complete, with the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) setting a new deadline for September 2025. The ₹6,600-crore project includes advanced engineering features to enhance safety and reduce travel time.
Mumbaipune ExpresswayInfrastructureRoad SafetyMsrdcConstructionReal Estate PuneMay 30, 2025
The 13-kilometre stretch aims to shorten the distance between Mumbai and Pune by 5.7 kilometres and cut commute time by approximately 30 minutes. It is expected to allow vehicles to travel at speeds of up to 120 km/h, while also bypassing landslide-prone sections that frequently cause accidents and bottlenecks, particularly during the monsoon.
Among the project’s highlights are a 1.75 km tunnel, an 840-metre viaduct, and an 8.9 km tunnel that passes 170 feet beneath Lonavala Lake. However, the most technically demanding structure is a 650-metre cable-stayed bridge across Tiger Valley, rising 180 metres above the Khandala landscape. This section remains under construction and is proving especially difficult as the monsoon approaches.
Despite repeated delays—shifting the original March 2024 opening to January, then March 2025—the MSRDC has reaffirmed its commitment to finishing the project by September next year. Officials state that ongoing construction is being carefully managed to avoid any disruption to the existing Mumbai-Pune Expressway, which remains one of the country’s busiest highways. The completed sections, including the tunnels and one viaduct, are already in use by project crews to reach the remaining works. Authorities say this has helped speed up tasks in remote areas such as the second viaduct and the valley-spanning bridge.
Once operational, the new link is expected to transform the expressway into a “zero-fatality corridor,” offering a more secure route free from natural hazards that have plagued travellers for decades. MSRDC engineers continue to prioritise safety and environmental resilience as they close in on the final stage of construction.
The missing link project, once considered an engineering challenge, now stands as a key step toward smarter and safer highway connectivity in Maharashtra. Its timely completion could serve as a model for future transport infrastructure in regions grappling with both topographic and climatic challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway's missing link?
The missing link is 96% complete as of now, with the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) targeting a September 2025 opening.
What are the key features of the missing link project?
The project includes a 1.75 km tunnel, an 840-metre viaduct, an 8.9 km tunnel beneath Lonavala Lake, and a 650-metre cable-stayed bridge across Tiger Valley.
How will the new link benefit travel between Mumbai and Pune?
The new link will shorten the distance by 5.7 kilometres and reduce travel time by approximately 30 minutes, allowing vehicles to travel at speeds of up to 120 km/h.
What challenges has the project faced?
The project has faced repeated delays due to the complexity of the engineering tasks and the challenging monsoon season.
What is the expected impact on road safety?
The new link is expected to transform the expressway into a 'zero-fatality corridor,' significantly reducing the risk of accidents and improving overall road safety.
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