Mumbai-Pune Expressway to Get Ghat Bypass; ‘Missing Link’ Project to Be Inaugurated on May 1

Mumbai, April 2026: A major upgrade to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is set to transform travel between the two cities, as the long-awaited ‘Missing Link’ project nears completion. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday announced that the project is 99 percent complete and will be inaugurated on May 1 by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Shinde inspected the project site and expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of work. He stated that only minor finishing work remains and has instructed officials to ensure timely completion while maintaining high standards.

The ‘Missing Link’ project, spanning approximately 10.5 kilometres, is a key initiative aimed at making the Mumbai-Pune Expressway a fully access-controlled highway. Once operational, it will bypass the accident-prone ghat section, significantly reducing travel time and improving safety. According to Shinde, the project will cut travel time by 20 to 30 minutes and is expected to drastically reduce accidents in the hilly stretch.

The project includes two massive tunnels, elevated viaducts, and a cable-stayed bridge rising about 182 metres above Tiger Valley. The tunnel, measuring approximately 23.75 metres in width, is considered among the widest in the world. Engineers successfully executed the project despite challenging conditions such as strong winds of up to 70 kmph, heavy rainfall, and difficult terrain. Notably, a section of the road passes about 182 metres below Lonavala Lake, making it a significant engineering achievement.

Shinde praised the efforts of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation for completing such a complex project. He emphasised that once the Missing Link becomes operational, dangerous curves in the ghat section will be completely bypassed, ensuring a smoother and safer journey.

He also clarified that there will be no increase in toll charges due to the project. “There is no proposal to hike toll at Khalapur toll plaza either,” he added, reassuring commuters.

The project, approved in 2019 at an estimated cost of around ₹6,700 crore when Devendra Fadnavis was Chief Minister, will now be inaugurated under his leadership, marking a significant milestone for the state’s infrastructure development.

Initially, the new stretch will prioritise buses and light vehicles, which is expected to ease congestion on the existing ghat section. The overall length of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway will also reduce by approximately 6 kilometres after the project becomes operational.

The expressway, India’s first access-controlled highway, has already played a major role in boosting sectors such as IT, services, industry, and real estate. With the addition of the Missing Link, its efficiency and capacity will be further enhanced.

The project is also expected to improve connectivity to major tourist destinations such as Lohagad and Visapur forts, as well as the Karla Caves, thereby giving a boost to tourism. The tunnels have been aesthetically designed with themes inspired by forts and the Karla caves, adding a cultural touch to the infrastructure.

Shinde highlighted that such infrastructure projects are not merely roads but catalysts for economic growth. Improved connectivity, he said, leads to expansion in industries, services, and employment opportunities.

Looking ahead, he said the government is focused on building an extensive network of access-controlled roads across Maharashtra by integrating projects such as the Samruddhi Mahamarg, Konkan Coastal Road, and the Vasai-Virar Multimodal Corridor. “Our goal is to ensure that any part of Maharashtra can be reached within 7 to 8 hours,” he said.

Shinde expressed confidence that the Missing Link project will make travel between Mumbai and Pune faster, safer, and more convenient, while also significantly contributing to the state’s economic growth.

Several dignitaries, including MP Shrirang Barne, former corporator Abasaheb Bagul, MSRDC Managing Director Anilkumar Gaikwad, and senior engineers from MSRDC, Afcons, and Navayuga Engineering Company, were present during the inspection.