Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link Project to be Operational by May 2025
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link project, which is being undertaken by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), will be operational by May 2025. Officially known as the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway (YCEW), the Missing Link aims to fill critical gaps in the existing road network between the two cities and ensure seamless connectivity.
To facilitate execution, the project has been divided into two packages. Package I consists of eight lane two tunnels of length 1.75 km and 8.92 km, respectively, and Package II consists of eight lane two viaducts of length 790 m and 650 m.
“We have completed nearly 94% of the work in Package I, and work on Package II is ongoing. The construction of the viaduct and link is extremely difficult for a variety of reasons, including high wind pressure, which is causing the work to be hampered,” said a senior MSRDC official who preferred not to be named, as per a report by Free Press Journal.
When asked about the project’s expected completion date, the official stated that it will not be fully operational until May 2025. The project includes two twin tunnels (1.75 km and 8.92 km), two cable-stayed bridges (770m and 645m), a small bridge, 11 pipe culverts, and two box culverts.
The existing Mumbai Pune Expressway section between the Khopoli exit and the Sinhgad Institute is currently 19 kilometers long. Following the construction of this new missing link, the distance will be reduced to 13.3 kilometers. As a result, the total length of the Expressway from Mumbai to Pune will be reduced by 6 kilometers, as will the travel time by 20-25 minutes. The total cost of the project is Rs 6,695.37 crore.
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway and NH-4 intersect near Khalapur Toll Plaza before diverging near the Khandala exit. The section from Adoshi Tunnel to Khandala exit is a six-lane road, but traffic on a 10-lane road (six lanes of YCEW and four lanes of NH-4) flows through it. Congestion on this stretch is caused by heavy traffic and landslides.
Due to the decrease in speed and increase in travel time in this section, and in order to save time, vehicles move at a faster speed on the rest of the expressway, resulting in an increase in accident numbers.
A feasibility study conducted for the expressway proposed an alternate route for the entire ghat section. MSRDC formed a technical advisory committee to review the detailed project report (DPR) submitted by the consultant; based on the committee’s recommendations, alignment of the Missing Link with the DPR was approved, and work began.
