The Mumbai–Pune Expressway is one of India’s busiest and most important road corridors. Every day, thousands of commuters, tourists, and heavy vehicles travel between the two biggest cities of Maharashtra. To make this journey smoother, safer and faster, the government has been constructing the long-awaited Mumbai–Pune Expressway “Missing Link” — a modern, 13.3-km high-speed corridor designed to eliminate the traffic-prone ghat section near Lonavala–Khandala.
As per the latest updates, the Missing Link is nearing completion and is likely to open for public use by May 2026.
What Is the Mumbai–Pune Expressway Missing Link?
The “Missing Link” is a 13.3-km access-controlled, 8-lane connector between Khopoli and Kusgaon. It bypasses the old ghat stretch, offering a straighter, safer and faster route.
The project includes:
Two major tunnels (approx. 9 km + 2 km)
Cable-stayed bridge overlooking the valley
Multiple viaducts ensuring seamless elevation transitions
Advanced safety features like ventilation systems, improved road engineering and crash barriers
This new alignment will solve the long-standing issues of steep slopes, sharp curves, congestion and slow-moving traffic faced on the current route.
Project Cost & Economic Impact
The Missing Link, costing about ₹6,600 crore, is a major investment in India’s transport infrastructure. This project reflects the government’s emphasis on high-quality connectivity, faster logistics, and safer travel.
Beyond reducing distance, the corridor is expected to:
Improve traffic flow dramatically
Provide a safer driving experience
Reduce vehicle wear-and-tear
Support long-distance travel for commuters
Enhance commercial transportation efficiency
Boost tourism around Lonavala–Khandala
Strengthen the Mumbai–Pune economic corridor
For businesses, industries, retail supply chains and IT parks across both cities, this will be a game-changing infrastructure upgrade.
Expected Opening Date: May 2026
According to recent construction updates, the cable-stayed deck — the final and most challenging portion of the project — is in its last stages. If work continues at the current pace, the Missing Link is expected to be inaugurated in May 2026.
Most tunnels, viaducts and internal structures are already complete, and safety checks are progressing steadily.
Once operational, the Missing Link will reduce the:
Distance by ~6 km
Travel time by 25–30 minutes
This will especially benefit:
Daily office commuters
Weekend travellers
Truck operators
Inter-city cabs & buses
Emergency transport
With smoother gradients and high-speed design, vehicles will be able to maintain a constant speed of 100–120 km/h, depending on the stretch.
Why Is the Missing Link Important?
Safer Travel
The current ghat section is known for accidents due to sharp curves, steep descents and heavy traffic. The new link offers modern engineering, better road geometry and reduced risk.
Faster Movement of Goods
Pune and Mumbai are major industrial hubs. Quicker freight movement means lower logistics costs, better supply chains and improved delivery timelines.
Better Connectivity Between Two Major Cities
The expressway already carries enormous traffic. The Missing Link will make inter-city travel more predictable and congestion-free.
Boost to Tourism & Real Estate
Lonavala, Khandala and Pune’s outskirts will benefit from improved connectivity, encouraging more tourism and future real-estate growth.
Conclusion
The Mumbai–Pune Expressway Missing Link is one of India’s most ambitious and impactful road projects. With a budget of ₹6,600 crore, world-class engineering, and clear benefits to commuters and industries, the corridor is set to transform how people travel between two of Maharashtra’s largest cities.
Once fully operational in May 2026, travellers can expect shorter journeys, a safer drive, and a smoother experience that will redefine the Mumbai–Pune commute for decades to come.