Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link to Be Operational by June 2025: MSRDC Says 90% Work Completed
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has announced that the much-awaited “Missing Link” project on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, officially known as the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway (YCEW), will be operational by June 2025. This ambitious infrastructure project aims to significantly improve connectivity between Mumbai and Pune, two major cities in Maharashtra, while addressing persistent traffic congestion and safety concerns.
Project Overview and Key Features
The Missing Link project is one of the most significant undertakings by the MSRDC. It comprises two execution packages:
- Package-I includes two eight-lane tunnels measuring 1.75 km and 8.92 km in length.
- Package-II features two eight-lane viaducts spanning 790 meters and 650 meters, along with cable-stayed bridges and other modern engineering marvels.
When complete, the new link will reduce the travel distance between the Khopoli exit and Sinhgad Institute from 19 km to 13.3 km, cutting travel time by 20-25 minutes. Additionally, the expressway will bypass the steep Khandala ghat section, enhancing road safety and efficiency.
Challenges and Progress
Rajesh Patil, Joint Managing Director of MSRDC, revealed that 90% of the work has been completed. However, the construction faced significant challenges due to the terrain, including working at heights ranging from 100 to 180 meters in a deep valley.
“The biggest challenge is positioning Cantilever Form Travellers (CFTs) weighing over 250 metric tonnes at a height of 100 meters to construct the superstructure of the cable-stayed bridge,” Patil explained. Despite these hurdles, substantial progress has been made, particularly in Package-I, where 94% of the work is completed.
The viaduct construction also faced delays caused by high wind pressure and other environmental factors. The entire project, estimated at ₹6,695.37 crore, employs cutting-edge global technology for safety and durability, including rock bolts to prevent landslides and emergency exits placed every 300 meters within the tunnels.
Impact on Travel and Safety
The Missing Link project promises to transform the Mumbai-Pune commute by easing congestion and enhancing road safety. Currently, traffic from the six-lane YCEW and four-lane NH-4 converges near the Khalapur Toll Plaza and diverges at the Khandala exit, causing bottlenecks and increased travel times. By bypassing this section, the Missing Link will alleviate these issues.
The new infrastructure is expected to significantly reduce accidents in the ghat section and support the “Zero Fatality Corridor” initiative. Furthermore, the modern cable-stayed bridges, with spans of 650 meters and a towering height of 180 meters, stand as engineering feats and landmarks in Asia.
Looking Ahead
Initiated in 2019, the Missing Link project reflects the state government’s commitment to improving infrastructure and fostering economic growth in the region. As the final stages of construction progress, the completion of this project in mid-2025 will mark a milestone in Maharashtra’s infrastructure development, bringing Mumbai and Pune closer than ever.
