Construction Mirror Article detail

The highly anticipated "Missing Link" project on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is now expected to be completed by August 2025, after facing multiple deadline extensions.

According to The Indian Express, 92% of the work on this 13.3-km stretch has been completed, bringing it closer to operational status. Undertaken by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), the project is part of the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway (YCEW) and will connect Khopoli to Kusgaon.

Key Features & Benefits: The new route is designed to bypass the 19-km-long Khandala Ghat section, notorious for steep inclines, speed restrictions, and frequent traffic congestion, especially during monsoons. Once operational, it will:

•Shorten the route by 5.7 km, cutting travel time by 20-30 minutes

•Reduce landslide risks that frequently disrupt traffic in the Khandala region

•Improve overall safety and traffic flow on the expressway

Engineering Marvel

•The Rs 6,600-crore project incorporates advanced infrastructure, including:

•Two tunnels (1.75 km and 8.92 km)

•Two cable-stayed bridges (770 meters and 645 meters)

•Asia’s widest road tunnel (23.75 meters), featuring eight lanes (4+4) and dedicated 2.5-meter-wide emergency lanes on both sides

A remarkable feat of modern engineering, the "Missing Link" is set to revolutionize travel between Mumbai and Pune, enhancing connectivity, safety, and efficiency for commuters and freight transport alike.