The Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link Project is nearing completion and is expected to open by December 2025. The new 13.3-kilometre, eight-lane road is being built by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). It will reduce travel time between Mumbai and Pune by about 30 minutes.
The project bypasses the congested and hazardous Lonavala–Khandala ghat section. The new route will shorten the journey by nearly six kilometres and allow vehicles to travel at 120 km/h speed. As per reports, a tunnel passes beneath Lonavala Lake, and another new bridge is expected to become a landmark.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde have visited the site. They reportedly praised the engineering work and emphasised the importance of safety. The project is also expected to boost western Maharashtra’s economy by supporting industry, tourism, real estate, and logistics.
The construction started in 2019 and faced delays due to the challenging terrain and the size of the project. Currently, 96% of the work is finished. The bridge and the second viaduct are almost complete, while the tunnels and the first viaduct are ready. The final stage involves safety inspections, including emergency exits, ventilation, lighting, monitoring systems, and obtaining formal permits.