PUNE: The Pune-Mumbai expressway’s missing link will open to the public on May 1, reducing travel time between the two cities by at least 30 minutes.Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) joint managing director Rajesh Patil told TOI on Monday: “The missing link project near Lonavla is 98% complete and has entered the final phase. Construction is progressing steadily and we have a firm target to open the stretch on May 1, which coincides with Maharashtra Day.” He said the remaining work is being closely monitored to ensure adherence to safety standards and timelines.
On Sunday, chief secretary Rajesh Aggarwal visited the project site and chaired a review meeting, directing officials to ensure completion within the stipulated timeframe without compromising on safety. Senior MSRDC engineers and contractors were present during the inspection.The project was originally scheduled to open in Dec 2025. However, it faced multiple delays due to adverse weather conditions — particularly heavy rainfall and strong winds — in the ghat section. Officials said work was hampered during monsoon because of safety concerns.“The cable-stayed bridge, located deep in the Tiger Valley, is a technical structure and we do not want to rush the work,” Patil said. “It is complex and requires skilled execution and precision. The work should be completed by April-end.”The missing link project has two key components — two tunnels, each of length 8.9 km and 1.9 km, and a 650-metre-long cable-stayed bridge. While the tunnels are ready, work on the bridge is nearing completion. The 900m-long viaduct V-1 is also complete. Officials said the substructure of the bridge is all set and the installation of cables is underway currently.The bridge is being constructed at an elevation of over 180m above ground — making it one of the most challenging engineering tasks undertaken by MSRDC. Eight cantilever form travellers (CFT) were installed to facilitate slab deck work for the superstructure. Around 1,000 workers are deployed at the site daily, a senior MSRDC official said.“There are past instances of hurried infrastructure projects leading to mishaps. We did not speed up construction to ensure neither commuters nor workers are put at risk,” the official said.Once operational, the missing link would significantly ease traffic congestion on the expressway’s existing ghat section, which has sharp curves and steep gradients. The project is expected to reduce accident risks by providing a straight and smooth alignment.The overall cost of the missing link project is estimated at Rs6,695 crore. Regular eway commuters said the project is much awaited.Which includes the 650-metre-long, will feature India’s tallest road cable-stayed bridge, is being executed by Afcons Infrastructure Ltd. At 650m viaduct, engineers are constructing 182-metre (597 feet) high pylons, taller than the 128-metre (413 feet) pylons of the Bandra–Worli Sea Link, and the highest ever bridge built for an Indian road project.
