The state government is preparing to widen the Mumbai–Pune Expressway from the current six lanes to ten. Officials told Hindustan Times that the decision aims to reduce traffic congestion and accommodate the rising number of vehicles.
The estimated cost of adding four new lanes along the 95 km stretch is INR 14,260 crore. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will submit a detailed proposal to the state government.
According to senior MSRDC officials, if the government approves the plan and the tender process proceeds on time, the additional four lanes could be completed by 2030.
Launched on 1 April 2002, the expressway currently has six lanes (three on each side). Daily traffic ranges between 80,000 and 1 lakh vehicles, with weekends and holidays seeing heavy surges that lead to long traffic jams.
Although the removal of the Amrutanjan Bridge in 2020 eased congestion to some extent, motorists still face long delays between the Adoshi tunnel and the Khandala exit, where the six-lane section absorbs traffic equivalent to ten lanes (six from the expressway and four from the old highway).
On Friday evening, the stretch again witnessed major congestion, with several drivers posting on social media that the Mumbai–Pune journey took eight hours.
MSRDC initially planned to widen the road to eight lanes, but later revised the proposal to ten. Officials said the growing traffic load and the upcoming Missing Link project expected to be completed in 2026 make the expansion essential.
The 13.3 km Missing Link will provide a direct route bypassing congestion in the Khandala–Lonavala ghat section and is likely to open in early 2026.
Of the estimated INR 14,260 crore required for widening, the state government will contribute 40%, while the remaining cost will be borne by the selected infrastructure company. If the expansion is approved, toll collection on the expressway will also be extended beyond 30 April 2045.
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