The 13.3-kilometer "Missing Link" section of the Pune-Mumbai expressway will be inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on May 1, which is Maharashtra Day, officials from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) confirmed to TOI on Thursday.
For the first six months, only cars and buses will be permitted to use the new stretch. Once operational, it is expected to reduce travel time between the two cities by at least 30 minutes and shorten the distance by 6 kilometers, without any additional toll charges.
"Heavy vehicles and those carrying hazardous materials will not be allowed on the new stretch and will continue to use the existing ghat section. Limited entry for goods vehicles may be considered after the monsoon, subject to traffic studies," a senior MSRDC official, who requested anonymity, said.
Explaining the rationale behind the restriction, the official noted that heavy vehicles are a major cause of congestion and accidents in the ghat section. An accident near the Adoshi tunnel in February, where a container carrying highly inflammable material overturned, disrupted traffic for over 30 hours. "Nearly 70% of traffic on the expressway consists of cars and buses, with heavy vehicles accounting for only about 30%. The Missing Link is expected to reduce traffic load on the existing ghat section by up to 70%, offering a smoother and safer commute by bypassing sharp curves and steep gradients," the official added.
The project, under construction for nearly six years after multiple missed deadlines, is expected to significantly ease travel on the congestion-prone Bhor Ghat stretch. "The work order was issued in 2019, but the project gained momentum only after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. It was originally slated for completion last December but faced repeated delays due to adverse weather conditions, including heavy rainfall and high winds in the ghat section. Asphalting was also delayed primarily because of material shortages linked to the West Asia conflict," the official said, adding that stocks have been replenished and work will be expedited to complete remaining tasks by the end of April.
The project comprises two tunnels measuring 8.9 kilometers and 1.9 kilometers, including what officials describe as Asia's longest road tunnel at 8.92 kilometers with a width of 23.5 meters. It also features a 650-meter cable-stayed bridge constructed at an elevation of over 180 meters in Tiger Valley, making it one of MSRDC's most complex engineering undertakings. At least 1,000 workers are currently deployed at the site.
Regular commuters have welcomed the development, calling it a long-overdue solution to a persistent bottleneck. Many said the new stretch would provide major relief, especially during weekends when traffic through Lonavala and the ghat section becomes exhausting. "A faster and smoother route will make a huge difference for those traveling regularly between the two cities," a commuter remarked.
Guinness Recognition Likely
MSRDC officials said the project is likely to enter the Guinness Book of World Records for having the widest road tunnel at 23.5 meters. Inspections have been completed, and certification is expected once the project opens to the public.
