Mumbai Pune Expressway Missing Link to Open May 1, Travel Time To Reduce By 30 Minutes

Eknath Shinde announced that the long-pending ‘missing link’ on the Mumbai Pune Expressway will be inaugurated on May 1, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expected to open the project on Maharashtra Day.

The 13.3 km stretch, connecting Khopoli to Kusgaon near Lonavala, has been developed to bypass the accident-prone Bhor Ghat section. The project is nearly complete and is expected to significantly improve traffic flow and safety on the corridor.

Developed at a cost of around Rs 6,700 crore by Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, the missing link is designed to reduce travel distance between Mumbai and Pune by approximately 6 km and cut journey time by 20–30 minutes.

The project features major engineering works, including two tunnels, high viaducts and a cable-stayed bridge across Tiger Valley. Initially, only light motor vehicles and buses will be permitted on the new stretch, while heavy vehicles will remain restricted due to safety considerations.