Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link Delayed, Now Expected to be Ready by March 2025

The much awaited missing link on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, that was supposed to open to traffic in July this year is delayed and is now expected to be ready only by March 2025.

According to a TOI report, the crucial cable-stayed bridge over the deep Tiger Valley, which is being built as part of the Rs 6,695 crore missing link project along the Lonavala ghat section, will be delayed, causing a cascading effect on the entire project timeline. Instead of its July deadline this year, the bridge section may be now be completed by March next year to offer motorists a half-hour reduction in travel time, said senior MSRDC officials.

“Constructing a cable-stayed bridge with four 182mt-tall pylons (equal to 60-storey buildings each) against severe wind pressure in the valley is a challenge. Other than delays due to Covid, monsoon wind and visibility create hurdles. Also, getting skilled workers to reach such a height and put cables there in itself a difficult task,” said MSRDC MD Anil Kumar Gaikwad while elaborating on reasons for the delay. The cabling will help create a 1,000ft slab in the middle of the 650-mt bridge, reported TOI.

About the Missing Link Project

The ‘Missing Link’ project, set to bypass the winding and hazardous Lonavala-Khandala ghat section, was initially planned to be opened to traffic in July 2024.

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is executing the Rs 6,695-crore project. The Missing Link features several impressive feats, including the world’s widest twin tunnels, stretching 47 meters over 10 lanes – a fact recognized by the Guinness World Records. The daylighting process for these two stretches, measuring 8.9km and 1.7km, has concluded.

Watch Missing Link Progress Video by Droneman

The 12.1km Missing Link project aims to bypass the 19km Khandala ghat section of the Expressway, reducing the distance between Mumbai and Pune by over 6km and cutting travel time by approximately 30 minutes. This reduction promises to result in significant fuel and carbon savings, as the ghat section often leads to excessive fuel consumption due to the incline and traffic congestion.

The toll charges, which are already very high on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, are expected to remain same even after the considerable upgradation of infrastructure when the missing link is thrown open to motorists.