Mumbai-Pune Expressway Upgrade Set for 2025: Missing link to cut travel time by 25 minutes
In a major update, the long-awaited “missing link” on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is now on track for completion by December 2025. This critical infrastructure upgrade promises to slash travel time between the two cities by up to 25 minutes and reduce the overall distance by 13.3 kilometers.
Designed to streamline one of India's busiest expressways, the missing link is a marvel of modern engineering. It features an 840-metre viaduct, a 1.75-kilometre tunnel, and a dramatic 650-metre cable-stayed bridge soaring above the scenic Tiger Valley in the Lonavala-Khandala stretch . The route continues with an 8.9-kilometre tunnel that runs up to 170 feet beneath Lonavala Lake, creating a smoother, more direct path for commuters.
With the route expected to allow speeds of up to 120 km/h, the drive between Mumbai and Pune is poised to become not only faster but also more fuel-efficient and safer, with fewer sharp bends and challenging inclines. The project, being spearheaded by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation ( MSRDC ), has been under construction for several years and faced multiple delays.
Initially set to open in March 2024, the project saw its deadline pushed several times — to January, March, June, and August 2025. However, a recent statement from MSRDC officials, as reported by Mid-Day, indicates significant progress and a renewed target for completion by December 2025. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has emphasized the project's importance in reducing traffic congestion and fuel consumption while enhancing travel efficiency on the busy corridor.
The project carries a hefty price tag of ₹6,600 crore and includes one of the most ambitious elements in India’s expressway network — a 45-storey-high cable-stayed bridge that is both an architectural and logistical challenge.
Once operational, the missing link is expected to dramatically improve road connectivity between Mumbai and Pune, benefiting not only daily commuters but also tourists and long-distance travelers. For those planning road trips between the two cities, this infrastructure boost could make the journey faster, smoother, and more scenic than ever before.
Designed to streamline one of India's busiest expressways, the missing link is a marvel of modern engineering. It features an 840-metre viaduct, a 1.75-kilometre tunnel, and a dramatic 650-metre cable-stayed bridge soaring above the scenic Tiger Valley in the Lonavala-Khandala stretch . The route continues with an 8.9-kilometre tunnel that runs up to 170 feet beneath Lonavala Lake, creating a smoother, more direct path for commuters.
With the route expected to allow speeds of up to 120 km/h, the drive between Mumbai and Pune is poised to become not only faster but also more fuel-efficient and safer, with fewer sharp bends and challenging inclines. The project, being spearheaded by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation ( MSRDC ), has been under construction for several years and faced multiple delays.
Initially set to open in March 2024, the project saw its deadline pushed several times — to January, March, June, and August 2025. However, a recent statement from MSRDC officials, as reported by Mid-Day, indicates significant progress and a renewed target for completion by December 2025. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has emphasized the project's importance in reducing traffic congestion and fuel consumption while enhancing travel efficiency on the busy corridor.
The project carries a hefty price tag of ₹6,600 crore and includes one of the most ambitious elements in India’s expressway network — a 45-storey-high cable-stayed bridge that is both an architectural and logistical challenge.
Once operational, the missing link is expected to dramatically improve road connectivity between Mumbai and Pune, benefiting not only daily commuters but also tourists and long-distance travelers. For those planning road trips between the two cities, this infrastructure boost could make the journey faster, smoother, and more scenic than ever before.
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