Mumbai-Pune Expressway 8-Lane Widening Delayed Due to Funding Priority to Other Projects

The much-needed expansion of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway remains in limbo as the proposal for eight-laning the crucial highway awaits the Maharashtra state government’s approval. While the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) submitted the proposal in February 2024, no progress has been made in securing final approval, delaying the much-anticipated infrastructure upgrade.

A Year of Waiting: No Approval Yet

The 94.5 km Mumbai-Pune Expressway, operational since 2002, has drastically reduced travel time between the two cities to approximately two and a half hours. However, with traffic volume exceeding 1.5 lakh vehicles daily, congestion and frequent accidents have become major concerns. To address this, MSRDC has proposed an eight-lane expansion, yet the state government has not approved the plan, leaving the project in a state of uncertainty.

Senior MSRDC officials confirmed that while the expressway expansion remains a priority, funding constraints and government approval delays have stalled the project. “The proposal is awaiting approval. Once we get the nod, we will proceed with implementation,” an official stated.

MSRDC’s Focus on Other Projects

MSRDC officials also revealed that the agency is currently prioritizing the Pune Ring Road (₹43,000 crore) and Jalna-Nanded Expressway (₹24,703 crore), alongside the construction of nine creek bridges in the Konkan region (₹9,000 crore). These high-budget projects are consuming a significant portion of available funds, further delaying the expressway expansion.

“The Mumbai-Pune Expressway widening is important, but we have to allocate resources judiciously. Pune Ring Road and Jalna-Nanded Expressway alone require nearly ₹68,000 crore,” an MSRDC official explained.

Land Acquisition and Infrastructure Challenges

One positive development is that MSRDC had already acquired land on both sides of the expressway for widening purposes. However, land acquisition remains a challenge for tunnels, requiring new construction at Kamshet, Madap, and Bhatan. Additionally, the widening of Adoshi and Khandala tunnels is currently in progress under the ‘Missing Link’ project, which aims to cut down Mumbai-Pune travel time by 30 minutes.

The eight-lane expansion is expected to cover 76 km of the 94.5 km highway, with a total estimated cost of ₹6,080 crore.

Funding Challenges and Toll Extension Proposal

Raising funds for the expansion is another hurdle. MSRDC has presented two financial models to the state government:

1. Allocating funds through a budgetary provision.
2. Extending the toll collection deadline on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

The implementation of the project depends on which option the government selects. Until then, the expansion remains stalled.

Traffic and Safety Concerns Continue

Transport experts warn that the continued delay will exacerbate congestion issues. With increasing vehicle numbers, the current six-lane configuration is proving inadequate, leading to traffic jams and a rising number of accidents.

“Every year of delay increases infrastructure strain. The sooner this project is implemented, the better for commuters,” an urban mobility consultant emphasized.

Frequent travelers on the expressway have also raised concerns. “Traffic congestion has become unbearable, especially on weekends and holidays. The authorities need to act before the situation worsens,” said Megha Shimpi, a daily commuter.

What Lies Ahead?

The expressway expansion remains a key infrastructure necessity, but bureaucratic delays and funding concerns continue to push the project further into uncertainty. While the Missing Link project is expected to provide some relief, full-fledged eight-laning is essential for long-term traffic management.

MSRDC officials remain hopeful that approval will come soon, but until then, Mumbai-Pune commuters must brace for continued congestion and longer travel times.