Missing Link Project: 13.3 Km Bypass To Cut Mumbai-Pune Time By 30 Minutes
13.3 km bypass shortcuts accident-prone ghat, reduces travel time.
The long-pending 13.3-kilometre “Missing Link” project on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway is set to significantly cut travel time and improve safety on one of India’s busiest highways, addressing a critical bottleneck that has troubled commuters for years.
The Missing Link project aims to bypass the steep and accident-prone Khandala Ghat section of the expressway by creating a shorter, straighter alignment. Once completed, it is expected to reduce the travel distance between Mumbai and Pune by nearly six kilometres and cut journey time by up to 25 minutes, particularly during peak traffic hours and monsoon seasons.
The project involves complex engineering, including two long tunnels—one measuring about 8.9 km and the other 1.7 km—and a major cable-stayed bridge of around 650 metres. These structures are designed to allow vehicles to avoid sharp curves and steep gradients that currently slow traffic and increase accident risk on the ghat stretch.
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Construction has faced repeated delays due to challenging terrain, environmental clearances, and technical difficulties associated with tunnelling through the Western Ghats. Landslides, heavy rainfall, and strict ecological safeguards have further slowed progress, making it one of the most technically demanding road projects in the country.
Authorities say the Missing Link will not only improve commuter convenience but also enhance road safety by reducing congestion and eliminating dangerous hairpin bends. The smoother alignment is expected to lower fuel consumption and vehicle wear, offering long-term economic and environmental benefits.
Once operational, the Missing Link is projected to transform connectivity between Mumbai and Pune, benefiting daily commuters, logistics operators, and tourists alike. Officials believe the project will strengthen the expressway’s role as a vital economic corridor for Maharashtra, while setting a benchmark for future high-infrastructure highway projects in difficult terrain.a
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