1 week Ago By Nisha Nambiar
1 2 Pune: The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation's ( MSRDC ) "missing link" project connecting Mumbai and Pune is now 96% complete, with officials setting a new deadline of Sept 2025 for its inauguration. MSRDC officials told TOI on Tuesday that efforts are on to speed up the work, but the section near Lonavala continues to be challenging, especially ahead of the monsoon season. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune The Rs6,600-crore project faced multiple deadline extensions, going from March 2024 to Jan 2025, then to March 2025, before settling on the current Sept timeline.
The 13km stretch will reduce the distance between Mumbai and Pune by 5.7km and cut travel time by approximately 30 minutes. Once operational, the new alignment will allow vehicles to maintain speeds of up to 120kmph.
"Although the tunnels and the first viaduct are ready, construction of the second viaduct is ongoing. This part is especially challenging as it spans over a valley," a senior MSRDC official told TOI. The cable-stayed bridge, reaching 180m above Khandala Valley, presents significant engineering challenges.
Officials warn that the upcoming monsoon season could further delay progress along this stretch. "We are focusing on completing the work safely without affecting regular traffic flow," the official added, noting that they are now using the completed viaduct and tunnel to access the second viaduct work site. The project includes an 840m viaduct, a 1.
75km tunnel, and a 650m cable-stayed bridge soaring above the Tiger Valley in the Lonavala-Khandala section. The route continues through another 8.9km tunnel, portions of which run 170ft below Lonavala lake.
Beyond improving connectivity, the project aims to enhance safety by transforming the Mumbai-Pune Expressway into a "zero-fatality corridor" and addressing recurring traffic jams caused by falling debris during monsoons. Despite construction complexities, MSRDC officials emphasise that work progressed without disrupting traffic on the existing expressway, which remains one of India's busiest highways..
