Mumbai-Pune expressway missing link to open by May, travel to get faster

Motorists commuting between Mumbai and Pune can expect significant relief by May as the longawaited MumbaiPune Expressway missing link nears completion Once operational the new stretch which is being developed by Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation MSRDC will bypass the accidentprone ghat section easing congestion and reducing travel time by approximately 30 minutes offering a faster and smoother journey for commuters It will be tollfreeThe recent traffic jam on the expressway became a major talking point with many commuters criticising the authorities over the prolonged delay in clearing the congestion The project comprises two tunnels measuring 168 km and 887 km in length and 23 metres in width mdash among the widest in the world mdash constructed by Navayuga Engineering Company Additionally two cablestayed bridges measuring 650 and 950 metres were built by Afcons InfrastructureSpecial tech usedgtgt Models of the cable bridge tested in foreign countriesgtgt Water mist system in tunnelsgtgt Fire hydrant systemgtgt Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition softwaregtgt Intelligent traffic management systemsgtgt SOS and emergency systemgtgt Surveillance camerasgtgt Fire detector linear heat detection systemgtgt Voice evacuation system in tunnelsgtgt Ventilation system in tunnelsgtgt Use of Doka formwork system for 180m pylon constructiongtgt A cantilever form traveller for deck slab constructiongtgt Ultrahighperformance fibrereinforced concrete girdersgtgt Epoxy asphalt modified concrete worksOfficial SpeakAn MSRDC officiallsquoWork is underway to connect the two segments of the cablestayed bridge This is likely to be completed in the coming weeks Once that is done finishing works and road construction will commence The entire stretch is expected to be completed by April or May after which it will be opened to the publicrsquoBenefitsgtgt Saves time and energy improves safety for commutersgtgt Smooth travel for commuters due to flat gradientgtgt Seamless traffic flowgtgt Prevents bottlenecks at toll plazagtgt No access for tankers and trucks carrying inflammable materials or gasChallenges faced during project executionTunnelMuck removal and disposal from excavated tunnelsSupplying oxygen to those working in tunnelsMitigation of work in different rock conditionsLonavala lake blasting workViaductgtgt Hilly terrain gtgt Wind pressuregtgt Heavy rainfall in Khandala forest areasgtgt Extensive blasting of rocks near live roadDeadlines missedBefore January 2026 MSRDC had announced multiple timelines for project completionThe initial target month for project completion was March 2024Subsequently January 2025 was projectedIt was then advanced to March 2025This was revised to September 2025Later the target completion month was pegged at December 2025Time overun reasonsgtgt Special tests for the design of the bridge and main components were only conducted abroad and slots were not available during the pandemicgtgt Permits and forest clearancegtgt Heavy rainfall in Khandala 133 kmLength of MumbaiPune Expressway stretch between Khopoli exit and Kusgaon19 kmDistance between Lonavala and Khopoli exit168 kmLength of tunnel I887 kmLength of tunnel II2350 mWidth of each tunnel16 kmCombined length of both viaducts184 mHeight of tallest pylon of cablestayed bridge6 kmDistance shaved off thanks to stretch30 minTime saved by avoiding ghat section180 mDepth at which tunnel passes below Lonavala lake586 kmLength of expressway being widened as part of project