The long-awaited missing link on the busy Pune-Mumbai Expressway is finally set to become operational for the public on May 1, which is Maharashtra Day. This development promises to reduce the travel time between India's two major western cities by a significant 30 minutes or more, offering major relief to daily commuters and long-distance travelers.
Final Push for May 1 Launch
Confirming the deadline, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) joint managing director Rajesh Patil stated that the ambitious project is now 98% complete and has entered its final phase. He emphasized that construction is progressing steadily with a firm target for the May 1 inauguration. The remaining work is being closely monitored to ensure all safety standards and timelines are strictly followed.
The project recently underwent a high-level review when Chief Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal visited the site. He chaired a meeting with officials and directed them to ensure timely completion without any compromise on safety. Senior MSRDC engineers and contractors were present during this inspection.
Engineering Marvel in the Ghats
This is no ordinary stretch of road. The missing link project features two key engineering components: two tunnels measuring 8.9 km and 1.9 km in length, and a 650-metre-long cable-stayed bridge. While the tunnels are ready, the final work is focused on the bridge, which is being constructed at a dizzying elevation of over 180 meters above ground in the Tiger Valley area.
Officials revealed that the bridge's substructure is ready and the intricate process of cable installation is currently underway. To facilitate the superstructure work, eight cantilever form travellers (CFT) were installed. The project, originally slated for a December 2025 opening, faced multiple delays primarily due to adverse weather conditions like heavy monsoon rains and strong winds in the ecologically sensitive ghat section.
"The cable-stayed bridge is a technical structure and we do not want to rush the work," explained Patil. "It is complex and requires skilled execution and precision. We aim to finish by April-end." A senior MSRDC official added that around 1,000 workers are deployed daily at the site, and safety has been the paramount concern, avoiding any hurried compromises that could lead to mishaps.
Transforming Travel and Safety
The operationalization of this link is expected to bring transformative benefits. Primarily, it will significantly ease the chronic traffic congestion on the expressway's existing ghat section, which is known for its sharp curves and steep gradients. By providing a straighter and smoother alignment, the project is also anticipated to substantially reduce the risk of accidents in this challenging terrain.
The overall cost of this critical infrastructure project is estimated at a staggering Rs 6,695 crore. For the countless regular commuters on the Pune-Mumbai corridor, this development has been much anticipated and will mark a new era of faster, safer, and more reliable connectivity between the two economic powerhouses of Maharashtra.
